Adding to the Mercury collection

i picked up 4 Mercury dimes today at the coin show in Vienna, Va. i paid a total of $30 for the coins - basically i got them for the going price on the PCGS site. i walked away from a few others that i'll have to take a look at come the June show at Baltimore.









-Steve

 

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:bow: :bow: Simply beautiful! Wonderful luster, appearance, everthing! Very nice. Okay, I am done drooling now, but very nice Mercs! :thumb:

Phoenix

 

right now i'm working on building up the 1940's in BU FSB. they are easy to find and are very easy on the wallet. i feel i'm doing pretty good considering i started collecting about a month ago

-Steve

 

The '45 has FBs for sure but will you look at that detail on that obverse! Great photography, too, you really got across every last bit of these.

 

Might I suggest that you don't use the PCGS price guide for anything....other than starting a fire (if you have printed the pages out).
Their guide is really hyped up and really not that good to use for buying coins....you will in most cases overpay everytime useing that.

Speedy

 

WHAT!!!????
No comments that they are cleaned?
Just kidding, but I figured that I'd say it to get it out of the way.
Nice! Very choice pieces.

 

how can you over hype a $4 coin? these Mercury dimes are very inexpensive, and thus the reason i am collecting them - i can pickup some very nice coins without fear of making a huge mistake. even if i over pay, it's not like i'll be out more than a few dollars.

having said that, looking at the PCGS price sheet for other types and grades is pure comic gold. don't hurt yourself laughing

-Steve

 

i swear 3 of them are cleaned - they have a dull frostiness to them, not a flaky white color, but a dull silver white. i'm almost certain the 1943 was dipped.

-Steve

 

Steve,
I know that this is a dumb question, but.....could you please explain to me what is on the reverse of the Mercury dimes? Thanks!

swick

BEAUTIFUL coins, by the way!

 

The reverse design is that of a fasces.
It was a Roman symbol (Ancient Rome) that symbolized peace and was carried by free men (read: citizens) of Rome throughout the streets as a symbol of freedom.

 

MAYBE (!) the 1943, but the others? I'd still buy them.

 

SOLD! haha.

the 1943 is going to be given to my father in law as part of a BU set - cent, nickel, dime, quarter, and half - should be "inexpensive" and it will look nice. i hope to have it put together for his birthday.

-Steve

 

Thank you Frank! I have been learning soooooo much on this web site! GREAT place to be! Thanks again!

swick

 

swick:
Just ask away, that is how we all learn.
And have fun!
Half the fun of collecting is learning.
By the way, in spite of those who deride the Red Book (A Guide Book...) by Yeoman & Bressett, it is a great reference as a primer.
Info such as who designed the coin, metal content, mintages, and many years there are educational essays about different topics such as Treasure Hoards, Errors, Auctions, etc.
I turn to it constantly esp when I am at a show and am looking at some Seated dimes, quarters, and half dolars, I try to get the low mintage dates.
Of course, you don't want dealers to see you use it, they'll think that you are comparing prices, sometimes much higher than real life, but, lately, especially on better dates, it is too low.
Better to use the grey sheet (bid & ask) for prices at shows.
Have fun.

 

i re-holdered the 4 Mercury dimes this evening. i really examined the coins and must admit, i did better than i thought. after the switch to new holders, the 4 coins have nearly identical luster. it appears the 3 holders from the one dealer were washing out the luster a tad, giving the coins a little frost "glow" that had me concerned. just one more thing to bear in mind while inspecting a treasure.

i'm addicted to Choice BU Mercury dimes - in early years, an expensive addiction

-Steve

 

Those are beautiful dimes Steve. Wouldnt it be great to have an entire set (1916-1945) in those grades.

 

that would be a beautiful sight, but is well out of my reach. i'll be very happy with my long short set from 34 thru 45 in BU. the Mercury is such a nice design, i would love to see it as a commemorative.

-Steve

 

Steve,
I just started collecting Franklin Halves at someone here's suggestion. I think I'll start a Mercury Dime collection when I'm finished with the Franklins. They are beautiful coins!

swick

 

Franklin halves are a great series to collect. I finished mine a little while back along with my Merc dimes. Its a great feeling to open those albums and realize the accomplishment of completing a full set of Mercs and Franklins. I certainly dont have a full set of BU Mercs, mine all average f-vf except for the 16-d which is AG3. I'm still very happy with them.

 

A commemorative Mercury dime would be a great idea I think. 2016 would be a great time to bring it back. Even if its only for one year.