Mercury Dimes

I'd get the best grade you can afford, and with '45D why spend a few bucks on a decent looking dime when you can literally spend a few more to get one in mint state!

By the way, the PCGS price guide tends to trend a little high from average. 1945 D MS60 grade Merc would probably run you around $5 across the broad market. Just keep an eye out for deals.

Are you starting a set of Mercs or are you just wanting to acquire it for a type set?

I'd say a buck up to VF, then a couple bucks through the AU grades.

If you are just wanting one then go for the higher grade, anything in the 40's will be about the same price across the board and the higher conditions are affordable. If you have a local coin store go there and look around, most places have a good selection because of how popular they are to collect and may made it easier to find exactly what you want.

If you're only going to buy one, then I would say buy the nicest one you can afford. There's definitely a premium on the higher grades with full bands. An MS-65 with full bands should still be under $40 though. Without full bands, Teletrade recently sold an MS-67 for only $27. That's the one I would have purchased, even if I had to bid it up to $30. If you're going to buy a circulated version, then multiply .0723 by the current silver price for approximate value, but expect to pay a little more than actual spot--I suggest a good price as of today for a circulated 1945-D (even up to AU) would be under $2.

vince220,
This is one of the first sets I completed.Just sold off 50 rolls of these when silver hit just over $20oz.
anything after 1934 in the merc series should be reasonable in the higher grades.At one time not to many years ago you could have gone to your local dealer and put togather a short set from his junk silver in XF or better.Now at the price and up and down nature of silver they don't hang onto it to long.
I'd say don't spend it for full bands.You'll enjoy the look of a nicely struck no problem one just as much with or without the full bands.
I agree with halfabustisbetter if you pay much over spot for the common dates in lower grades you are paying to much.
hope this helps
coffeecup

sfwusc,
I can still get teens and twenty's for bullion from a local dealer I have done business with for a long time,when he has any.They will be some really worn coins,usually AG and lower.On rare searches have found 19D,26S,31D and S

bryan1315
I like the subdued luster on a circulated coin especially Mercury 10c and Walking Liberty 1/2

RW

As you noted you just want one for the design. So I would suggest you just get the cheapest one that shows the details you like. If your planning on keeping it in a 2x2 and where you can see it most of the time, then the reverse also should be fairly good.
I've seen the average, common date Mercury dimes at flea markets for $1 for many years. If there are any flea markets around you, try them before spending at a coin store. At one flea market so far in the past I've aquired Mercury dimes with dates such as 42/41, 26S, 31D and many others for only $1. So far I've got 10 completed sets in Whitman Albums. An additional 3,000 in either rolls or 2x2's. One of my favorite coins. You may want to note on any you purchase the possible rear rotation. A large amount of Mercury dimes has rotated reverses. Some to the left and some to the right. Makes for an interesting topic with friends if you have one that is highly rotated.