Hi all: I'd like to get some advice on Mercury dimes. What I do when it comes to coins in general is never go for any that have too much wear. Now, from what I've come across online is that these dimes in "extremely fine" condition seem to be not much if any better than those rated either "good" or "fine". I'm not interested in uncirculated as that's another animal. But I still want some detail and not any that are overly worn. SO, my question is: what would be a realistic price be for a Merc dime that still has good or decent detail. I know this is subjective and I not easy to answer. Thanks for replies
Welcome my fellow Carolinian! I sometimes sound like a broken record on questions like this. Most any established brick and mortar dealer will have boxes full of common date Mercs. Sit down and flip through the boxes and pick out the pieces that suit your tastes. I would bet you could load up on plenty of nice Mercs at five bucks a piece or less. Some of the scarcer dates would bring more of course.
Thanks for the replies. I failed to mention that I'm not really interested in dates, Just the condition. To be honest, I really want these in case we get some kind of re-set as to the value of the dollar due to our wonderful government's malfeasance with the debt it's run up. I already have a bunch of uncirculated Silver Eagles and some Silver Maples. Just want some silver coins in smaller denominations and it seems to me the Mercs are the way to go for that. But again, I don't want junk. By the way, Randy, are you a dealer down here in SC?
Oh heavens no! Just a humble hobbyist. If you are near the capitol city I could ground guide you in to a few honest dealers.
I suggest looking at price guides and auction results on such sites as Heritage Auctions and Great Collections. Price guides can vary widely. Look at PCGS, NGC and Coin World prices. You’ll get at least a feeling for the various dates and mint marks.
I live in Summerville, so you're not close, but I would be willing to come up if you'd like to get together sometime.
My old LCS had boxes of coins on the counter, and you could just cherry pick the Mercs you wanted for around $1.50 each.
Trying to figure something out... if you are worried about some calamity where the dollar collapses, why are you worried about Condition of the coins? You should just go with Bullion Silver. Even if it is Mercury Dimes, you just by them by the bulk bag, not looking at condition. You can do the same with any silver... any 90% American silver coins, foreign silver, etc.
I am located in SC as well. I am a collector as well as a "Vest pocket Dealer" If your looking for common date Mercs you should be able to find them in circulated condition for around $2 each. If your wanting High Grade coins XF-AU they will probably run a little more.
Dallas coins. Well, it seems to me that if it comes to having to use old silver coins for barter, my reasoning is that anyone would want coins in half way decent condition. For example, if exchanging silver coins for something, it's best if the coins aren't all worn out. Junk Silver coins are usually in atrocious conditon - and in my opinion are only good for melt. Anyway, that's my opinion.
You can often find AU even BU 1964 Kennedys, Quarters and Roosevelt dimes for Melt Value. Once you start talking about Merc Dimes, W.L. Halves, S.L. Quarters that's a different story.
You'd actually be surprised at the quality of "junk silver" coins. I work at a coin store and go through everything that comes in. I throw 30's and 40's near mint dimes in the bag to be sold for bullion all the time. You may want to find a shop that lets you look at or even Cherry-Pick your bulk junk silver. I'm pretty lucky, though... I have a collection of 1916 & 1916-S Dimes that I always pull out when going through... and I get them for $1.00 each. I do have the entire Mercury set, though, with 1916-D and 42/41.
Talk with dealers at any coin Show. The next one in South Carolina is this week (Aug 3 - 5): http://www.lowcountrycoinclub.com/
