1945 Mercury Dime Obverse Appraisal

1945 Mercury Dime (Obverse)

This is a United States Mercury Dime, specifically the obverse (front) side, minted in the year 1945. The coin features a profile portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a winged Phrygian cap, which was mistakenly associated with the Roman god Mercury, hence the coin's popular name. The material is 90% silver and 10% copper, typical for dimes minted before 1965. The color is predominantly a dark, tarnished silver-gray with some lighter silver-colored highlights on the raised areas such as Liberty's face, neck, and the wing, indicating some wear or recent cleaning in those spots. The phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST" is partially visible to the left of Liberty's neck, and the word "LIBERTY" is inscribed along the left rim. The mint year "1945" is clearly visible below the bust. There are no obvious mint marks visible in this image to indicate the specific mint location (Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco), though it would typically be located near the base of the coin. The coin exhibits significant wear consistent with circulation, characterized by a loss of fine detail on the high points of Liberty's hair and the winged cap. The overall condition appears to be 'Good' to 'Very Good' due to the noticeable flatness in certain areas and the extensive toning across the surface. There are no major visible scratches or gouges, but the general surface texture suggests a long period of handling and exposure. The rim appears mostly intact. This coin belongs to the Art Deco period, designed by Adolph A. Weinman, and was produced from 1916 to 1945. The craftsmanship is typical of US coinage of the era.