Most Collectors Get Mixed Message From Miss Liberty

Question: I have a dime that was minted in 1941. To me, it is unusual. It has a picture of a man or a woman facing left with a wing in its hair. I’m not a collector per se, I just have a fascination for odd or unusual coins. Is it worth anything? How many were minted? Are they completely out of circulation?--R.C.

Answer: Most coin collectors are familiar with the coin you describe, but it’s interesting that you would find it unusual. However, I’m sure you’re not alone, because your silver dime, known as a Winged Liberty Head or Mercury type, hasn’t been made since 1945, and it was effectively taken out of circulation in 1964 when silver was eliminated from regular United States coinage.

Even though most collectors refer to the coin that remained unchanged in design from 1916 to 1945 as a Mercury, it actually was not intended to represent the mythological Roman god who served as a messenger and had wings on his feet. The depiction actually is an allegorical figure of Miss Liberty with wings on her head, representing the liberty of thought.

There’s much more involved in assembling a Mercury dime set. Fussy collectors look for full split bands (the separation on the reverse of bundles of sticks), and, unfortunately, unscrupulous operators have been known to enhance this mechanically. Some dates are a real challenge, even though most dates were issued in the millions. Your 1941, for example, is one of 175 million (without a mint mark, it’s from the Philadelphia Mint). The Denver Mint (D mint mark) produced 45 million, and the San Francisco Mint (S mint mark) issued 43 million.

Your dime is probably worth about 40 cents. Really nice uncirculated pieces are in the $40-to-$50 range.

Coin News

Pope John Paul II is being honored by a coin (pictured) celebrating his 10th anniversary as Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. The coin is produced by the Warsaw Mint and is legal tender in Poland. There is a proof gold 12-ounce version (only 300 made for $8,950); a 4-coin gold proof set (1,000 sets for $1,595) and 1-ounce bullion gold coins (prices fluctuate). Distributor of the coins worldwide is Ruff Financial Services, 3305 N. University Ave., Provo, Utah, 84604; telephone (800) 722-7833.

Uriah Phillips Levy, one of the first American naval officers and known for his campaign against flogging, is being honored by a commemorative medal issued by the Jewish-American Hall of Fame. The medal (pictured) is based on a portrait by Thomas Sully. The reverse depicts Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello mansion, which Levy purchased and restored following the President’s death. Levy, the victim of anti-Semitism, faced six court-martials during his career. He had a destroyer named in his honor in World War II. There will be 500 medals in bronze ($20 each), 250 in silver ($85) and 50 in 10-karat gold ($1,050). Order from the Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St., Berkeley, Calif. 94705.

The Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach will be the site of the unveiling of four newly designed coins that will mark the 500th anniversary of the British gold sovereign. The design will be a secret until the Feb. 2 event. Henry VII introduced the sovereign in 1489. The current design of St. George Slaying the Dragon by Pistrucci was introduced in 1817 during the reign of George III. The new design will appear on the 5-pound denomination in both proof and brilliant uncirculated plus the proof-only double sovereign, sovereign and half sovereign.

Almost $750,000 was realized at the recent Certsale IV auction held in conjunction with the Long Beach Numismatic and Philatelic Exposition. Certsale, which stands for certified coinage, registered $1,430 for an MS-65 1884 Liberty nickel; $4,400 each for two MS-67 1939 half dollars; $3,300 for an MS-63 1851 gold $1, and $19,800 for a MS-64 1907 high relief gold $20. Other Certsales in Long Beach are planned Feb. 1 and June 1, 1989. For information contact Pacific Coast Auction Galleries, 1013 State St., Santa Barbara, Calif. 93101.

More than $3.9 million was garnered at the Smedley and Mann Estate Collection auction recently in New York. Prices, which include a 10% buyer’s fee, were highlighted by a $37,400 bid for a MS-65 1839-0 half dollar; $12,375 for a proof-64 1856 $1; and a record-breaking $16,500 for a proof-65 1877 trade dollar. Catalogues and prices realized are available for $15 from Auctions by Bowers & Merena, Box 1224, Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894.

Coins Calendar

Friday, Saturday and Sunday--”A Legacy of Thomas Jefferson” is the theme of the 83rd semiannual convention and coin show of the California State Numismatic Assn. at the Red Lion Inn, 222 N. Vineyard, Ontario. A bronze medal (pictured) designed by C. R. Woodward reflects the theme and will be given to visitors. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. A display of primitive money by John E. Lenker of Redlands will be featured. There will be educational forums Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Coin Books

Price guides are just that--guides. At best they can only generalize, because no two coins are alike and grading is highly subjective. Nonetheless, they’re still a useful tool, especially for determining prices for lower-grade coins. Latest on the market is the “1989 American Guide to U.S. Coins” by Charles F. French ($5.95) and the “1989 American Guide to U.S. Gold Coins,” also by French ($4.95). Both have introductions that may be more useful for beginners than the pricing, which does not break down the all-important uncirculated category. Both guides are published by Fireside Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10020.

Many collectors get so wrapped up in their hobby that they eventually become dealers. Some do it on a part-time basis and are known as vest-pocket dealers. Others take the plunge and go at it full time. Anyone contemplating such a move should be well-advised to read “How to Be a Successful Coin Dealer” by Q. David Bowers before making a commitment. Bowers is a veteran dealer and he generously shares his experience in what can be a difficult but rewarding field. Certainly it’s not a total primer, and any potential dealer ought to have good business sense, but it should prove helpful in many areas. Copies of “How to Be a Successful Coin Dealer” are $14.95 plus $2 for postage and handling from Bowers & Merena, Box 1224, Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894.