What's The "W" Mark On Mercury Dimes?

PCGS - Many collectors ask about the "W" mark on their Mercury dimes, wonder why it's there, and want to know what it means. Countless newbies believe it to be a W mint mark on their Mercury dimes but become confused when they realize that a W mint mark didn't begin appearing on United States coins until 1984 - nearly 40 years after the last Mercury dime rolled off the presses. So, what's the W on the obverse of the Mercury dime and why is it there?


Mercury dime, 1916 10C Mercury, FB, PCGS MS68FB

Let's answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the W on the Mercury dime, what it means, any connection this has to mint marks on Mercury dimes, and what these coins may be worth.

Where is the "W" on the Mercury Dime?
That little W, seen on the lower right side of the obverse behind Miss Liberty's neck and between the date and the letter "Y" of "LIBERTY," is in fact a monogram bearing the letters "A" and "W" and representing the initials of the coin's designer, Adolph A. Weinman. Many collectors never notice the "A" intertwined toward the bottom center of the "W" until more closely inspecting the obverse of the coin with a 5X or 10X coin magnifier.

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