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 Replies: 9 / Views: 497 |
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Valued Member
United States
173 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7529 Posts |
The trumpet tail is what you are looking for, as far as a variety of this mintmark with this date. Yours would appear to be the normal small date with deterioration, just my opinion. It does not help that VV's pic shows a damaged mm for the norm.... The other two pics, less yours are from VV. Here is a link. LINK http://varietyvista.com/06%20Mercur...20Styles.htm I changed the pic, posted the wrong one the first time.  -makecents-
Edited by -makecents-
09/13/2025 8:47 pm
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Moderator
 United States
77075 Posts |
yes, This would be a small 's' MM. Thanks for that link MC  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5212 Posts |
I am going to disagree with makecents and Dearborn. That 1941-S dime is definitely the FS-511 variety. Often called a Large S, but more correctly termed a Trumpet Tail, as has been pointed out. You can't just compare the mint mark pictures, you also need to zoom out and examine the scale. When you judge it against the scale of the nearby devices, the Trumpet Tail is about 1.5x taller than the Small S, and way wider. http://www.varietyvista.com/06%20Me...%201941S.htmhttps://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin...s-511/145469 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5212 Posts |
Side-by-side, matching the bands and torch for scale:  Also note that the 1941 Small S has a distinct flare on the tail. That mint mark changed quite a bit over the many years of its use. |
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Valued Member
 United States
173 Posts |
Thank you, everyone, for the links and the excellent photos! While sorting my Mercury dimes by mint marks, I noticed that the mint mark on one coin appeared larger compared to the others I have from the same year. It really stands out to me. Additionally, the mint mark seems to be positioned right on one of the olive branch leaves, similar to the known large S variety. The other 1941 Mercury dimes in my collection show the S mint mark resting away from the leaf, and they are clearly smaller. However, the apparent absence of a downward-pointing serif has made me question whether this particular coin has the large S mint mark. The upper inside of the mint mark looks filled in, which seems to obscure the serif. Edited by angellionel
09/14/2025 09:57 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5212 Posts |
The serif is present, your third image shows it clearly. The mint mark might have taken a small ding on the northeast tip, or it might be showing some circulation or die wear. That bottom trumpet tail termination is textbook, though.
There are six documented 1941-S 10¢ working die with a trumpet tail S mint mark. Most of the mint marks were punched in approximately the same place. You might be able to identify which die struck your coin with the markers from Variety Vista.
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Valued Member
United States
173 Posts |
Thank you, Brandmeister. I mistakenly thought it was just a shadow on the mint mark; my old eyes weren't cooperating. I greatly appreciate your help and the information. Thanks again!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7529 Posts |
Thanks, Brand. After looking at it again, I would have to agree with you. Nice work!
-makecents-
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1140 Posts |
Great find! It is definitely the Large S / Trumpet - FS-511. You can also look for this Large S mint mark on the 1941-S Washington quarter. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 497 |
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Posted 09/13/2025 10:28 pm
Uncirculated American Silver Eagles 
