Things You'll Need
Instructions
RAREST DATE (1916 D)
Only 264,000 Mercury Dimes, 1916 D, were minted. Very few are available in Mint condition. This is the key date for the entire collection.
KEY DATE (1921 D)
Here is an important date, with just over 1.05 million minted. The scarce Mint state examples will command a premium of more than $1,500, and that is a conservative estimate.
* Note: I strongly recommend that the collector obtain certified specimens from NGC or PCGS (the only two universally recognized grading services).
KEY DATE (1921)
Another key to the set, and another low mintage of just over 1.2 million pieces. As in the above case, this is another tough nut to crack, with Mint state prices starting at $1,600.
KEY DATE (1942 over 1941 D)
This is really an "error" coin; however, most serious collectors require this as part of the set. Mint state examples start at $3,000 and peak out at almost $10,000 in MS 65 condition.
SEMI-KEY DATES
This next listing includes the issues which are moderately priced, depending on condition (as always, graded coins are suggested):
1926 S/1928 S/1930 S/1931 D/1931 S/1934 D (large mint mark)
PROOF DIMES
The U.S. Mint started issuing Proof Mercury Dimes in 1936. The first year issue is now valued at $3,000. All of the early issues through 1942 are relatively expensive. Proof coins were discontinued until 1950. By that time, the Roosevelt head dime had replaced the Mercury design.