1938 Mercury Dime

1938 Mercury dimes are considered common by many coin collectors, as the United States Mint made more than 35 million dimes that year. The high mintage figures have resulted in there being a sufficient supply of these coins in virtually all grades today, including specimens in uncirculated condition.

Here’s a glance at the mintage figures and values for 1938 Mercury dimes:

• 1938, 22,190,000 minted; $5

• 1938 proof, 8,728; $600

• 1938-D, 5,537,000; $6

• 1938-S, 8,090,000; $5

*Values are for coins in a grade of Extremely Fine-40, unless otherwise noted.

For coin collectors who would like to purchase 1938 Mercury dimes in the uncirculated grades, they will enjoy a wide selection of pieces at prices that won‘t break the bank. In fact, the regular-issue Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mercury dimes can all be had for about $50 or less apiece in grades of MS-65.

Proof specimens are available, but many are cloudy or have uneven toning. If you want a brilliant specimen, you’ll have to do a little extra searching, and be prepared to shell out a few dollars more than book value. A well-preserved proof Mercury dime may be a little difficult to find, but it is truly a thing of beauty.