Today’s coin of the day is this beautiful 1944 Mercury Dime. This coin is in BU, or brilliant uncirculated condition and has a gorgeous white luster to it.
The Mercury Dime features a depiction of Liberty wearing a winged cap. Because of this cap, many people thought that the figure on the obverse of the coin was actually the Roman god, Mercury, hence the name, Mercury dime. The obverse of the coin features a Fasces, which is a bundle of wooden rods with an axe protruding from the middle, which symbolizes collective power. The Fasces is surrounded by an olive branch, which is a symbol of peace.
Designed by Adolph Weinman in 1916, this coin was commissioned by the assistant secretary of the treasury, William P. Malburn.
While Weinman never disclosed the name of the model he used as the face of Lady Liberty, it is widely rumored that it belongs to Elsie Stevens, wife of a prominent lawyer and insurance executive who rented an apartment in Manhattan from Weinman.
This particular coin, as well as many others, is available at goodoletom.com. Or come check out one of our brick and mortar locations in Arizona or Connecticut for even more selection!
