1931 D Mercury Dime F1

Category: Mercury Dimes (1916-1945)
Mint: Denver
Mintage: 1,260,000
Obverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
Reverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
Composition: Silver
Fineness: 0.9
Weight: 2.5g
ASW: 0.0723oz
Melt Value: $1.76 (9/2/2023)
Diameter: 17.8mm
Edge: Reeded

This proved to be the third lowest mintage in the Mercury Dime series, and examples were always elusive in circulation. Coins in the higher circulated grades remain very difficult to locate, but their values are held in check by the greater than expected availability of Mint State pieces. Dealer ads from the late 1930s reveal that Mint State 1931-D dimes were readily available at a time when most issues made before 1934 were in short supply. There existed little demand for fresh coins in 1931, and most pieces of this date were issued in 1934-35. Examples are plentiful in Mint State through MS-65, and this issue enjoys a higher than usual percentage of Full Bands coins. A nice doubled-die obverse variety is known affecting primarily the date. Though subtle in comparison to similar such varieties for other coin types, within the context of the Mercury Dime series this one is sharper than most. Mint State examples are very scarce.