With a total minting of just 264,000 coins, this was the rarest coin in the series. The lower the number of coins made, the more valuable this coin is.
A good condition:
1916-D Mercury dime:
Can be worth thousands of dollars. In this coin, Lady Liberty is represented with a feathered hat, which symbolizes liberty.
Identification
Look for a small “D” mintmark on the reverse side of the coin, just below the olive branch. If you find a 1916-D, it could be a rare treasure for you!
1945 Micro S Mercury Dime – A Minting Mistake That Could Bring Big Price:
The other very valuable coin in the Mercury dime series is the 1945 Micro S Mercury dime. While the 1916-D is rare due to a minting error, this coin is rare because of a minting error. In 1945, the San Francisco Mint, now known as the Micro S, applied a small “S” mintmark to some dimes.
This is a low mintage coin, but it does come with a minting mistake, making this coin very valuable to collectors. The Micro S Mercury dime can be worth hundreds of dollars or even thousands of dollars depending on its condition.
This is still yet another great coin for collectors that cannot be ignored!
Carefully look at the mintmark on the back of the coin. The “S” should be small in size. If you find it, you have found a Micro S Mercury dime, which can be very valuable!
1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel – A Rare Minting Mistake:
This is not a dime, but the 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel is another coin much sought after by collectors. One of the buffalo’s legs accidentally missed being printed on the 1937 Buffalo nickel, giving the coin its nickname of the Three-Legged Buffalo.
The 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo nickel is a rare error coin which can sell for thousands of dollars, depending on grade. This rare minting error is one of the most well-known errors in numismatic history and sought after by collectors for its unique look.
Look closely at the buffalo’s legs. If one leg is missing or appears worn, it may be the Three-Legged Buffalo version. This coin could net you a small but significant fortune!
How to Identify and Find Rare Coins:
Finding one of those million-dollar dimes or the $15 million Bicentennial quarter may seem like a rare occurrence, but sometimes the chance does come your way.
Here are some tips to help you identify value in coins:
Pay attention to the mintmark: Certain mintmarks (such as the “D” on the Mercury dime) indicate that the coin is rare and valuable.
- There should be checks on minting mistakes: There can be misplaced strike, double printing, and such odd design where the coins turn out to be worth a many times its intrinsic value.
- Verify the date and condition: If there is the year where a fewer number of coins is issued, that may make the value of those more. Coin in good condition means it would always fetch more amount.
- Use a magnifying glass: Some small details, such as the shape of a mintmark or an off-center design, may be hard to spot with the naked eye. A magnifying glass can help you see these hidden elements.
Conclusion:
Although finding a $15 million Bicentennial quarter or a rare 1916-D Mercury dime appears to be infrequent, a coin collecting domain is one of those fields wherein new surprises crop up every single day. While being careful with and examining the coins, one might find the coin worth so much more than its face value.
FAQS:
Why is the Bicentennial quarter so valuable?
The Bicentennial quarter has a minting mistake printed on the 1941 Canadian quarter, making it a rare hybrid coin. This makes it highly valuable, and this coin could be worth up to $15 million.
How to Identify a 1916-D Mercury Dime?
There is a small “D” mintmark, which is positioned on the coin’s reverse below the olive branch. This coin had a relatively low mintage number of only 264,000, and thus it’s extremely rare and valuable.
Can these coins be found in normal currency?
These coins are very rare, but sometimes you can find them in your change. Although the chances are very low, you can sometimes find these rare coins if you examine the coins carefully.