1942 10C, FB MS65FB Certification #37059872, PCGS #5035

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Charles Morgan

The 1942 Mercury Dime (#5035) is a common-date issue best known for a fascinating and highly valuable overdate variety. For the 1942, the Philadelphia Mint produced 205,410,000 coins for circulation—a record-breaking output at the time for a single year. While Philadelphia would later surpass this figure in 1944 and 1946, these numbers pale in comparison to modern production; today, the Philadelphia and Denver Mints each produce roughly 200 million clad dimes every month.

As a type coin, the 1942 Mercury Dime is readily available in both circulated and Mint State (MS) grades, including examples with and without Full Bands (FB). While common circulated examples generally trade at a small premium over the silver spot price, raw coins in About Uncirculated (AU) to Choice Brilliant Uncirculatied (BU) condition often command premiums of two to three times the metal value.

The most frequent grades assigned by PCGS fall between MS64 to MS66. However, the 1942 Mercury Dime becomes conditionally scarce at the MS67 and higher, where premiums rise significantly.

* * *

PCGS #

5035

Designer

Adolph Alexander Weinman

Edge

Reeded

Diameter

17.90 millimeters

Weight

2.50 grams

Mintage

205410000

Metal

90% Silver, 10% Copper

Pop Higher

1284

Pop Lower

676

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	10000	R-3.0	66 / 80 TIE	66 / 80 TIE
All Grades	10000	R-3.0	66 / 80 TIE	66 / 80 TIE
60 or Better	5000	R-4.0	65 / 80 TIE	65 / 80 TIE

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	10000
All Grades	10000
60 or Better	5000

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-3.0
All Grades	R-3.0
60 or Better	R-4.0

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	66 / 80 TIE
All Grades	66 / 80 TIE
60 or Better	65 / 80 TIE

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	66 / 80 TIE
All Grades	66 / 80 TIE
60 or Better	65 / 80 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS MS68+FB	As PCGS MS68FB #37907356. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, May 15, 2019, Lot 373 – $15,275. As PCGS MS68FB #37907356. MADHATTER's "MERC MADNESS Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Rich rainbow toning washes over both sides of this coin. The reverse features rich green, gold, and magenta coloration throughout, while the obverse boasts purples, greens, and blues.
2	PCGS MS68FB
2	PCGS MS68FB	"The remumc Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).
2	PCGS MS68FB	“The Stephen and Dianne Stokely Collection,” Heritage Auctions, July 26, 2003, Lot 6717 – $5,175; Heritage Auctions, January 29, 2004, Lot 5687 – $5,290; “The Joseph C. Thomas Collection, Part One,” Heritage Auctions, April 29, 2009, Lot 333 – $7,475.
2	PCGS MS68FB	“The Joshua II Collection of Mercury Dimes, #1 All-Time Finest PCGS Registry Set,” Heritage Auctions, August 12, 2010, Lot 4553 – $13,800. "The Sadlerr Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Brilliant.

#1 PCGS MS68+FB

As PCGS MS68FB #37907356. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, May 15, 2019, Lot 373 – $15,275. As PCGS MS68FB #37907356. MADHATTER's "MERC MADNESS Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Rich rainbow toning washes over both sides of this coin. The reverse features rich green, gold, and magenta coloration throughout, while the obverse boasts purples, greens, and blues.

#2 PCGS MS68FB

"The remumc Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).

#2 PCGS MS68FB

“The Stephen and Dianne Stokely Collection,” Heritage Auctions, July 26, 2003, Lot 6717 – $5,175; Heritage Auctions, January 29, 2004, Lot 5687 – $5,290; “The Joseph C. Thomas Collection, Part One,” Heritage Auctions, April 29, 2009, Lot 333 – $7,475.

#2 PCGS MS68FB

“The Joshua II Collection of Mercury Dimes, #1 All-Time Finest PCGS Registry Set,” Heritage Auctions, August 12, 2010, Lot 4553 – $13,800. "The Sadlerr Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Brilliant.