1940 Mercury Dime Coin Pendant in Ornate Gold-Tone Bezel

This item is a circular coin pendant featuring a 1940 United States Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) dime at its center. The coin is set into a multi-layered pendant mounting, starting with a halo of approximately twenty-four round, colorless faceted stones—likely rhinestones or crystals—set in a channel or pavé style. The outermost layer is an ornate, open-work filigree scrollwork frame with a scalloped edge, exhibiting a warm yellow gold-tone finish. The metal displays a bright, high-polish luster, though slight darkening in the recessed areas of the filigree suggests either intentional antiquing or minor oxidation over time. The coin itself shows a visible date of 1940 and the profile of Liberty in a winged cap; it appears to have a gold-colored wash or plating to match the bezel, which is atypical for the original silver currency. The construction includes a standard bail at the top for chain suspension. Small scratches and minor wear are visible on the metal surfaces and the face of the coin, consistent with light previous use. The piece reflects a mid-20th-century costume jewelry style, heavily influenced by Victorian revival aesthetics.

I have examined the 1940 Mercury Dime Coin Pendant with ornate gold-tone bezel via the provided descriptive metadata and imagery. The piece is a classic example of mid-century Victorian revival costume jewelry. The central 1940 Mercury Dime appears to have been gold-plated to achieve a monochromatic aesthetic with the bezel, a common practice in accessory manufacturing that effectively removes the coin's numismatic value and reduces it to a decorative element. The 'halo' of twenty-four colorless stones shows signs of light wear; given the setting, these are consistent with glass rhinestones or crystals rather than precious gems. The condition is 'Good to Very Good,' with minor oxidization noted in the recessed filigree and light surface abrasions. From images alone, I cannot confirm if the bezel is gold-filled or merely gold-plated base metal, though the bright luster and 'warm yellow' description strongly suggest a high-quality costume plating rather than solid gold. Market demand for coin jewelry remains steady among collectors of 'sentimental' or 'token' jewelry, though the plating on the coin prevents it from being traded as silver bullion. A physical inspection is required to test the metal's karat weight using acid or XRF testing and to check the stones for refractive indices. Authenticity of the dime is assumed based on the 1940 date, but its utility as a collectible coin is nullified by the mounting and plating. Comparisons for similar non-precious filigree coin pendants on the secondary market frequently fall within the $45 to $85 range, depending on the specific metal composition and brand hallmarks, which were not visible in the provided views.