1916 D Mercury Dime(Huge Purchase -Help-)

When shopping for key dates or expensive coins, I would recommend that you do as much research as possible. Find out what makes the coin real and what die markers can identify it as genuine. Go to coin shows, many dealers, etc and look for your key date coin. When you find it, loupe EVERYTHING taking mental and written notes. Read online about popular fakes, what they look like, what to watch for, etc. Don't buy the first or second coin you see... cause you will be stuck with it!

I totally understand the suggestions made by others: only buy a slabbed key date coin online. In fact, I would still probably urge you to buy in-hand if possible. Personally, when shopping for key date coins I look for unslabbed stuff. I arm myself by researching real vs fakes and ALWAYS get 2nd and 3rd opinions. I never buy unless I am 100% assured the coin is legit, at the grade. Of course, shopping this way can take years... but don't settle until you find a coin you like at a price you like. Also, don't be afraid to make an offer on a coin, then return several days later with the same offer.

Slabs are great insurance and all that... but they tend to make some people stupid. Education, knowledge and experience are your best friends. Not a slab.

Chiming in with my 2 cents (or is this 10 cents? :-) ):

Where I am probably the biggest critic of TPGs there is (I dare you to find someone more critical :-) ), a situation such as this one is what TPGs were originally incorporated for: To authenticate coins and weed out the fakes the dilute the hobby.

Do not buy a rare key coin such as this in that kind of shape 'raw' unless it is from someone whom you trust personally and have known for a long time.

In the absence of that, purchase one that is certified. Period. End of report. Don't play into any potential folly.