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The 1939-S Mercury Dime is worth anywhere from $3 in worn condition to over $1,200 in pristine mint state. This beautiful silver coin, featuring Winged Liberty, is a favorite among collectors and casual finders alike because of its high silver content and historical significance during the pre-World War II era.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $2.50 – $4.00 |
| Fine (F-12) | $5.00 – $8.00 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-45) | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Uncirculated (MS-60+) | $40.00 – $1,500+ |
Understanding the History of the 1939-S Winged Liberty Head Dime
Finding a 1939-S Mercury Dime in your pocket change or an old jar is like holding a piece of American history. Struck at the San Francisco Mint just as the world was on the brink of World War II, this coin represents the height of Art Deco design in American coinage.
Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, the “Mercury Dime” actually depicts Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap, which symbolizes freedom of thought. However, the public mistakenly identified her as the Roman god Mercury, and the name stuck for over a century.
If you are unsure whether your coin is a genuine San Francisco strike, you can use a top coin identifier app to instantly recognize the mint mark and date. The “S” mint mark on this specific year indicates it was minted in much smaller quantities than the Philadelphia version, which often translates to higher collector demand.
Many families keep these coins as heirlooms without realizing their true potential. While common circulated dates are mostly valued for their silver content, the 1939-S sits in a “sweet spot” where even mid-grade examples can fetch a premium over their melt value. Using the CoinKnow app can help you keep track of these price shifts in real-time.
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Evaluating the Condition and Grade of Your 1939-S Dime
The value of a 1939-S Mercury Dime is heavily dictated by its “grade,” or its state of preservation. Collectors use a 70-point scale to determine how much wear a coin has sustained over the last 80+ years.
A coin in “Good” condition will look very flat. Liberty’s hair will be smooth, and the feathers in her cap will be indistinguishable. These are generally sold for their silver value plus a small collector premium.
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In “Fine” or “Very Fine” condition, you should start to see the lines in the feathers and the diagonal braids of hair. The more detail you can see with the naked eye, the more the value increases.
For those lucky enough to find a coin that looks brand new, you are looking at an “Uncirculated” or “Mint State” grade. This is where the price jumps significantly. You can see detailed 1939-S Mercury Dime MS grade pricing charts to see how much a professional grading certificate can add to your coin’s bottom line.
Current Market Value and Pricing Tiers for 1939-S Dimes
The market for San Francisco minted dimes from the late 30s is quite robust. Because the San Francisco Mint typically had lower mintage numbers than Philadelphia, the 1939-S is naturally scarcer.
In today’s market, silver prices provide a “floor” for the value. Since these dimes are 90% silver, they will never be worth less than their weight in precious metal.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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However, the “numismatic” value (the value to collectors) is what carries the 1939-S into the double and triple digits. Knowing the exact 1939 San Francisco dime value based on current trends is essential before you decide to sell to a local coin shop or online auction.
| Grade Group | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $3.50 – $12.00 |
| Choice About Uncirculated (AU-58) | $25.00 – $35.00 |
| Low Mint State (MS-60 to MS-63) | $45.00 – $70.00 |
| Gem Mint State (MS-65+) | $150.00 – $1,200.00+ |
The Importance of “Full Bands” (FB) Recognition
If you look at the reverse side of the 1939-S Mercury Dime, you will see a bundle of sticks called a “fasces” wrapped in leather bands. In the world of high-end coin collecting, the “Full Bands” (FB) designation is the holy grail.
This means that the horizontal bands wrapping the fasces are perfectly separated with no merging. Striking a coin with this much detail was difficult for the San Francisco Mint in 1939, making FB examples incredibly rare.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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A standard 1939-S in MS-66 grade might sell for $100, but the same coin with the “Full Bands” designation could easily fetch $300 or more. Collectors use the CoinKnow app to identify these high-relief details that the untrained eye might miss.
Before selling your dime, grab a magnifying glass and check those central bands. If they are crisp and distinct, you are holding a much more valuable specimen.
Where to Find the Mint Mark on your 1939 Dime
Identifying the “S” mint mark is critical for determining the 1939-S Mercury Dime value. If there is no mint mark, the coin was produced in Philadelphia and is generally less valuable in lower grades.
Turn your coin to the reverse (the “tails” side). Look at the bottom left, near the rim, just to the left of the base of the fasces. You will see a small “S” for San Francisco or a “D” for Denver.
If that area is blank, it’s a Philadelphia strike. Many people use CoinKnow to zoom in on this specific area to ensure they aren’t misidentifying a Denver “D” as a San Francisco “S,” as the two can look similar if the coin is dirty or worn.
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| Mint Mark | Mintage Quantity | Rarity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1939 (Philadelphia) | 67,740,000 | Common |
| 1939-D (Denver) | 24,394,000 | Scarce |
| 1939-S (San Francisco) | 10,540,000 | Most Scarce |
Tips for Selling and Preserving Your Mercury Dime
If you’ve discovered that your 1939-S Mercury Dime is in Excellent or Mint condition, your first instinct might be to clean it. Stop! Never clean an old coin.
Cleaning a coin with polish, soap, or even a soft cloth creates microscopic scratches that can destroy up to 90% of its collector value. A 1939-S with original “patina” (the natural toning or darkening of the silver) is much more desirable to professional buyers.
When you are ready to sell, consider getting the coin “slabbed” or graded by a service like PCGS or NGC if it appears to be in Uncirculated condition. This provides a guaranteed grade that helps buyers feel confident in paying top dollar.
For most everyday finds, selling to a reputable local coin dealer or using a trusted online auction platform is the best route. Always check multiple sources for the latest 1939-S Mercury Dime value before accepting an offer.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
FAQ
Q: Is the 1939-S Mercury Dime made of real silver?
A: Yes, all Mercury Dimes minted from 1916 to 1945 are made of 90% silver and 10% copper. This gives them an intrinsic “melt value” that fluctuates with the silver market, usually worth at least $2.00 even if the coin is in terrible condition.
Q: What is the most expensive 1939-S Mercury Dime ever sold?
A: High-grade examples with the “Full Bands” designation in MS-68 condition have sold at auction for over $5,000. These are exceptionally rare and possess a nearly perfect strike with original mint luster.
Q: How can I tell if my 1939-S dime is a “Full Bands” strike?
A: Look at the reverse of the coin. In the center, there are horizontal bands holding the bundle of rods together. If those bands are clearly separated by a deep groove with no rounding or blurring, it qualifies as Full Bands.
Q: Why is the San Francisco “S” mint mark so important?
A: In 1939, the San Francisco Mint produced only about 10.5 million dimes, compared to over 67 million in Philadelphia. This lower mintage makes the “S” mark harder to find and more valuable to collectors building a complete set.