Prepare to be Amazed
I don't take the thread title lightly, but I feel it is strongly warranted.
As many of you know, I fancy myself somewhat of a specialist in the 1936-1942 Proofs era, and I hunt these things down like a hound. The good ones are scarce, the great ones rarities. The following coin is an absolute MONSTER.
1939 dimes are a somewhat common date in comparison to the other dates, right in the middle of the pack. 9,321 coins were reported minted, from 8 obverse and 4 reverse dies. Average detail for the year is decent, and two die pairs struck cameo dimes, making this date and denomination the second most common cameo date for the year. While other years show excessive repolishing and loss of detail, 1939s can be found with generally decent detail.
Here's where this coin starts to get special. Color for the date is not exceptionally common, especially the highly prized and attractive toning collectors value. Combine that with a very high average detail quality and extremely high grade, and this coin is maybe one of 5 out there.
This coin shows one very minor, barely visible hairline in the right obverse, and a very minor spot patch off of the axe head. Otherwise, it is technically perfect, and well deserves the PR68 grade. CAC liked it too.
As much as I wish it was mine, @winesteven owns this one. I do take pride in the fact that I recommended it to him though. ![]()
Enjoy!


Comments
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Beautiful. The video seems to show very decent contrast as well.
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Beauty in so many ways. The far away stare, the olive branch grasp. Peace Roy
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
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Alex - Thanks again for bringing it to my attention. Yes, @jfriedm56 , I’m a bright-white guy, but with rainbow colors and blinding luster and mirrors on that Merc, I jumped at it!
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/2139964 -
Great looking coin, great photography!
Mr_Spud
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@FlyingAl and @winesteven. The colors are amazing and so is this coin, though I am a bit surprised that Steve has this beauty in his collection. I’ve only been acquainted with Steve for a short time, but thought he was a bright white, to the lightest amount of toning on his beauties, collector. Branching out Steve? Nice score.
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Awesome eye and pickup on this one @FlyingAl and @winesteven!
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Great coin.
BST References] oilstates2003, GoldCoin98, COINS MAKE CENTS, SurfinxHI, mbogoman, detroitfan2,1 -
The coin looks absolutely wonderful. But (sorry) alas, I’m still waiting to be amazed. Flame away.😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
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@MFeld said:
The coin looks absolutely wonderful. But (sorry) alas, I’m still waiting to be amazed. Flame away.😉Perhaps you didn’t prepare enough.
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@MFeld said:
The coin looks absolutely wonderful. But (sorry) alas, I’m still waiting to be amazed. Flame away.😉
(Had to do it Mark
)9 -


Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
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A beauty, and one I would gladly put into my collection!
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@Eldorado9 said:
A beauty, and one I would gladly put into my collection!It sure would be a great franchise coin to build a set around. Imagine having a 16-D like that! 🥳 🎉
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
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My favorite series. I like the lemon yellow appearance. Very nice.
Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".1 -
Superlative! Also, you have managed to control those problematic hot spots when photographing the obverse of Mercs.
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Mightyfine photography. Super specimen.
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Congratulations @winesteven !!!
Welcome to the dark side.
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That’s some real purdy tarnish!


Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
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She is a beauty. The coin has grade, color and a CAC sticker.
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Really nice coin that checks most if not all of the boxes.
Many happy BST transactions1 -
Truly lovely!
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Very nice coin and Super Photography!
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Truly a remarkable coin.
Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
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Wow! An amazing looking Merc.
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
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@winesteven has an excellent 1936-42 proof set. His is currently ranked #3 in the PCGS registry.
For those who haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and give it a look.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/proof-sets/1936-1942-proof-set/publishedset/116453Collector, occasional seller
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Toned proof Mercury dimes are very eye appealing. The 1939 posted in this thread is exquisite.
I have only one toned proof Mercury dime. It is a 1941 and it graded PF65 (likely due to marks on the obverse). It is very eye appealing.

If anyone else has similar coins let us see them.
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@ChrisH821 said:
@winesteven has an excellent 1936-42 proof set. His is currently ranked #3 in the PCGS registry.
For those who haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and give it a look.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/proof-sets/1936-1942-proof-set/publishedset/116453Chris - Thanks for the "Shout Out". The last couple of years I've put together a set of Matte Proof Buffalo's, 100% CAC (of course, lol). It's a nice short set, as there are only five coins needed to complete the set. Here's a hotlink:
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/2139961 -
Beautiful sets, both of them. Lots of pluses evident!
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Love the coin, color, and pics! Your excellent tastes are maturing @winesteven.
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@Nic said:
Love the coin, color, and pics! Your excellent tastes are maturing @winesteven.Nic, thanks for the laugh!
Have a nice weekend.
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/2139960 -
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Beautiful coin Steve!
Regards,
Wayne
www.waynedriskillminiatures.com1
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