When a dime commands a whopping $90,000 auction sale, any collector would scrabble for a coin in the series to try their luck for such a sale. But that’s just one exceptional sale in the entire 1935 mercury dime sale history.
The reality on the ground suggests that the 1935 dime value ranges around $2.50-$7.50 in circulated condition and $37-$2,950 in uncirculated condition.
Apart from the exceptional sale mentioned above, auction record sales for the three varieties range around $11,213 for a Philadelphia dime, $17,250 for a Denver dime, and $19,550 for a San Francisco dime.
But that’s too much of anticipated details. So, let me give you a step-by-step account of the 1935 mercury dime value and the value-determining features, starting with the dime specifications.
1935 Silver Dime Specifications
Like all other Mercury dimes (1916-1945), the 1935 dime is also called the silver dime because of its high silver content, noticeable in the dime’s silver luster. Check here its metal composition for Silver and copper plus other key specifications.
- Category: Mercury Dimes (1916-1945)
- Mint: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
- Mintage: 85,147,000
- Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
- Composition: 90% Silver – 10% Copper
- Weight: 2.5 grams
- Diameter: 17.9 mm
- Edge: Reeded
1935 Mercury Dime Design and Mintage
All coins in the mercury dime series, including the 1935 dime, bear Adolph A. Weinman’s design, first used on the dime in 1916.
1935 Liberty Dime Obverse Design
The image of Lady Liberty with a winged cap takes center stage on the 1935 dime. This Lady and her posture are why people also call the coin the winged Liberty dime or the Mercury dime, because it sends anyone’s mind to the Roman god, Mercury.
The words “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY”, plus Weinman’s initials (W over A) also appear on the obverse.
1935 Mercury Dime Reverse Details
To symbolize America’s readiness for defense and desire for peace, Weinman placed the fasces on the reverse side with binding bands on the top, center, and bottom. Around the fasces is an olive branch, and on the top left is a hatchet.
Along the edge of the reverse side are the words, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DIME”, separated by a star on each side. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is on the right of the fasces, and beside the stem of the olive branch, the mint mark for the San Francisco (S) and Denver (D) dimes.
The Denver dime for this year (and the years after that) is the large D, appearing denser than the one used in the previous years.
1935 Liberty Dime Mintage
For a mintage that came in the second year after a two-year dime minting break (1932 and 1933), the 1935 mercury dime overall mintage is quite low, even compared to other years in the series like 1944 and 1943, with over 100 million total mintage.
| Mint Location | Mint Mark | Mintage |
| Philadelphia | No mint mark | 58,830,000 |
| Denver | D | 10,477,000 |
| San Francisco | S | 15,840,000 |
| Total Mintage | 85,147,000 |
1935 Mercury Dime Varieties and Value
The 1935 Mercury dime can be found in three main varieties, going by mint location:
- 1935 Philadelphia dime with “No Mint Mark”.
- 1935 Denver dime with a “D” mint mark.
- 1935 San Francisco dime with an “S” mint mark.
As with most other U.S. coins, the 1935 mercury dime value is primarily defined by the coin condition, whether in the circulated state or pristine uncirculated condition. You can discover more on circulated and uncirculated coin grading here.
Dimes in the uncirculated condition are valued more for their mint state luster, and their value appreciates with higher grading numbers.
Collectors and numismatics also place more value on Mint State (MS) 1935 mercury dimes with Full Band(FB) designation. This means the top, center, and bottom binding bands on the fasces are finely struck and show complete separation between them.
As you’ll notice later, a combination of high MS grading and FB designation on a 1935 mercury dime can command a premium sale for all three varieties.
Nonetheless, the price guides for regular sales indicate that the 1935 mercury dime is worth $2.50-7.50 in the circulated condition, $5-$32 in the About Uncirculated (AU) condition, and $37-$2,950 in pristine mint state (MS) condition.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the 1935 mercury dime value.
| Variety | Circulated | AU50-AU58 | MS60-MS64 | MS65+ |
| 1935 Mercury “No Mint Mark” Dime | $2.50-$4.25 | $5-$8.50 | $10-$25 | $37-$1,200 |
| 1935 Mercury “D” Dime | $2.50-$15 | $25-$32 | $34-$55 | $100-$2,300 |
| 1935 Mercury “S” Dime | $3.50-$7.50 | $10.50-$18 | $25-$40 | $60-$2,950 |
Apart from high MS grading and the FB designation, 1935 mercury dimes with mint errors also appreciate in value from their regular prices. You’ll discover more about 1935 dime errors in a later section.
1935 No Mint Mark Mercury Dime Value
As in many other instances, the Philadelphia Mint made the greatest contribution to this year’s mintage. That explains why the 1935 no mint mark mercury dime is readily found in circulated and lower mint state grades of up to MS66.
In circulated condition, the 1935 no mint mark mercury dime value ranges around $2.50 to $4.25. In pristine mint state condition, the dime can go from $10 for an MS60 dime to $1,200 for one in MS68FB grading.
The variety is rare in MS68 grading and more so in the Full Band designation. Major grading services together record around 15 of those. This rarity appreciates their value and makes them highly sought after by coin collectors.
On the coin market, the best-valued 1935 no mint mark mercury dimes are MS68/FB Gems with pristine luster and untoned surfaces, giving their silvery appearance a superior quality. Some of these have spots where the silvery luster turns into shining brilliance.
The first of these Gems with an MS68 grading sold for $11,213 at Bowers & Merena in 2006. Other top sales for the 1935 pristine gems are in this table.
| 1935 Mercury “No Mint Mark” Dime Highest Sales | |||
| Grading | Value | Firm | Year |
| MS68 | $11,213 | Bowers & Merena | 2006 |
| MS68FB | $8,625 | Heritage Auctions | 2010 |
| MS68FB | $8,225 | Heritage Auctions | 2013 |
| MS68FB | $7,638 | Heritage Auctions | 2013 |
| MS68FB | $7,475 | Heritage Auctions | 2009 |
Despite these premium sales, the prices of the sought-after MS68 1935 Mercury dime can go lower for non-FB dimes, as in the case of this dime that sold for $660 at the Heritage Auctions in 2021. The central bands on the reverse of this coin show no separation.
Also, the value of the 1935 no mint mark mercury dime goes down quickly with lower grades, with only a couple of four-figure sales on record for the MS67 dimes. Lower grades record three and two-figure sales, and circulated dimes have single-figure sales.
1935 D Mercury Dime Value
The Denver mint struck the least number of dimes in 1935 but numerous enough to make this variety fairly easy to find in grades below MS66.
The 1935 D mercury dime is the most valued of this year’s varieties, although the San Francisco variety records better sales in the rare MS68 grade.
The 1935 D mercury dime is worth $2.50-$15 in the circulated condition. In mint state condition, the 1935 D mercury dime value ranges around $34 for an MS60 dime and $2,300 for an MS68 dime.
This variety is extremely difficult to find in the MS68 grade. In fact, only a single NGC-graded 1935 D mercury dime appears in records with this grade. The grading service assigns this coin a star (★) designation, meaning it has a unique eye appeal, and without it, it could be assigned a lower grade. You will definitely love its visual appeal as well.
This unique MS68★ 1935 D mercury dime sold for $2,300 at the Heritage Auctions in 2006.
Despite the higher grading for this isolated MS68★ piece, the highest-valued 1935 D mercury dime is an MS67FB coin sold for $17,250 at the same firm in 2000.
Graders describe this coin as having a precise strike, perfect design features, and a super smooth surface. The coin bears no toning, allowing its mint silver luster to show off its unique intensity.
High grades (MS65-MS67), an FB designation, preserved silver luster, and the presence of attractive toning are the features that add value to the 1935 D mercury dime.
However, compared to its Philadelphia and San Francisco counterparts, the 1935 D mercury dime is quite hard to find in the Full Bands designation. In fact, numismatics have previously argued over whether the 1935 D or the 1939-S is the most difficult to find in the FB designation.
Regardless, 1935 D mercury dimes that make the top sales list bear the FB designation, as proven in the table below.
| 1935 “D” Mercury Dime Highest Sales | |||
| Grading | Value | Firm | Year |
| MS67FB | $17,250 | Heritage Auctions | 2000 |
| MS67FB | $7,475 | Heritage Auctions | 2002 |
| MS67+FB | $5,280 | Heritage Auctions | 2019 |
| MS67+FB | $4,850 | David Lawrence RC | 2019 |
| MS67+FB | $4,818 | Legend Rare Coin Auctions | 2020 |
1935 S Mercury Dime Value
The 1935 S mercury dime is worth $3.50-$7.50 in the circulated condition. In the uncirculated condition, its value lies between $60 for an MS60 dime and $2,950 for an MS68 dime.
Like the Philadelphia and Denver varieties, the 1935 S mercury dime is fairly easy to find in mint state grades 60-66 but is rarer with the FB designation.
A few San Francisco dimes exist in MS68 grading and the FB designation. These top the list of the highest-valued 1935 S mercury dimes. What’s more, an extraordinary $90,000 sale for an MS68FB dime tops this list. The dime sold at the Heritage Auctions in 2019.
Graders describe this coin as having a needle-sharp strike and brilliant, flawless surfaces. A spray of pink and ice-blue toning is noticeable on either side of the coin.
But that’s not all about this highly-valued coin.
The coin is also the same one in second position on the list of highest-sales for this variety. For its first sale in 2011, this coin only garnered $19,550 at the same firm.
It appears that resubmitting the 1935 S mercury dimes is common practice in an effort to get a higher grading for these pristine gems.
As you’ll notice in the table below, these two sales for the highest-valued 1935 S mercury dime are way higher than the value assigned to other dimes in this variety. And, like the Denver variety, a pristine silver luster and attractive toning characterize these highly valued 1935 mercury dimes.
| 1935 “S” Mercury Dime Highest Sales | |||
| Grading | Value | Firm | Year |
| MS68FB | $90,000 | Heritage Auctions | 2019 |
| MS68FB | $19,550 | Heritage Auctions | 2011 |
| MS68 | $3,819 | Heritage Auctions | 2014 |
| MS67+FB | $3,600 | Heritage Auctions | 2017 |
| MS67+FB | $3,055 | Legend Rare Coin Auctions | 2017 |
1935 Mercury Dime Errors
Auction records and other documentation report a few mint errors for the 1935 mercury dime. They include the off-strike error, the broadstrike error, and the clipped planchet error.
The few 1935 mercury dimes with these errors are the object of collectors’ interest, explaining why these errors significantly increase the value of the dimes, even for those with low MS grades.
1935 Mercury Dime Off-center Strike Error
The off-center strike is one of the most common errors on US currency coins. It happens when a planchet is misaligned and does not sit properly on the retaining collar.
As a result, a side of the coin is not punched and remains without the design details.
Off-center errors are described by how far the error is from the coin center. Those with a 40-80 percent off strike are rarer and more valued by collectors and numismatics.
Auction records list a 1935 mercury dime struck 25% off center. This dime has an MS61 grading and sold for $870 in 2021 at the Heritage Auctions. Going by current price guides, this Philadelphia coin would have fetched $11.50 without this error.
1935 Mercury Dime Broadstrike Error
A broadstruck error happens when a coin is struck without the retaining collar, creating unformed extended edges and a larger coin than intended.
Collectors have found two 1935 Philadelphia coins with this error, both with an MS64 grading. The better-valued coin sold for $204 at the Heritage Auctions in 2020, while the other sold for $109 at the same firm in 2021.
In their regular strike, both coins would have fetched $25 each.
1935 Mercury Dime Clipped Planchet Error
The clipped planchet error happens when a coin is struck on a planchet with a missing portion. This is a rare error that triggers the interest of coin collectors.
Clipped planchet errors describe the percentage of how much of the coin piece is missing.
A 10% clipped planchet error raised a 1935 no mint mark mercury dime value from its regular $13 price to $99. This dime sold at the Heritage Auctions in 2021.
Concluding Thoughts
If you love collecting mercury dimes, consider including the 1935 lots in your collection if you haven’t done so yet.
These dimes have fairly high prices for both circulated and uncirculated coins, between $2.50-$7.50 for circulated dimes and $37-$2,950 for uncirculated dimes, to be precise.
Besides, the 1935 mercury dime has shown that it can go premium with the Full Band designation. Or what would you make of a gigantic $90,000 sale?
