Man, 1916-D Merc Value on the Rise!

ChuckC

I did a little statistical analysis of the realized values of 1916-D mercury dimes (heritage, 1993-2004), and boy do I wish I bought one back in 1998 when I had the chance. For example, the average price for a PCGS G-4 in 2000 was $454.30. The average price of auctions from 2001-2004 for the same grade and PCGS slab was $597.25 with that last G-4 specimen coming in at $747.50! The same upward trend applies for all the grades (e.g. XF45 in 2003 about twice as much as XF45 in 1996). A similar analysis of 1921 and 1921-D shows little increase in value over the years except I've noticed a slight rise in 1921-D over the past few years. So, is now the time to buy a 1916-D? Will this upward trend continue?

coinguy89

If I were slightly interested I would invest in the 21 and 21-D.

mirabela

Having just bought in myself, I'm almost obligated to say -- yes, absolutely! Compete with others for them!

Really, though, I have no idea. I hope so. I wanted one since I was a kid.

CoinHunter2003

If you think that's something - try to buy a Morgan on Ebay!

WACoinGuy

As impressive as that is, if you use the numbers of $747.50 today and $454.30 six years ago, you end up with an annual increase of only 8.3%. Nothing to sneeze at (especially if you're enjoying the coin over the years), but not totally out of line with other long-term investments.

oreville

That seems to be pretty much in line with the increases seen in the MS-67FB (PCGS or NGC) grade. They ran $65,000 in 1997. Now running around $115,000.

A runaway bidding war in an aucion could achieve the PCGS price shown of $140,000 in the price guide but it takes two to tango.

Steve27

"is now the time to buy a 1916-D?"

No, unless you like to buy at the top.

oreville

Actually, I do not agree. The 1916-D is a very steady performer. Not known for exhilirating price increases followed by price drops.

In the same time (1997 to 2004) the 1945-P FB dime as well as the 1942/1 FB in all grades have mopre than tripled in price and they are certainly not near or at the top. There is such demand for these keys that a drop in price is very unlikely. If anything, it will just sit at these prices before it makes its next move.

marcmoish

I would've thought the 45 FB would move just as quick...weird as there are so many less examples known too....the 16-D is just so much more popular but the 45 FB seems to be rarer in true higher grades. Personally I believe the price on the 16-D these days is kinda wacko, and like Oreville was saying I don't believe it is going down either.



marc

jdimmick

The 16-d has been selling for record prices all of a sudden, I am not sure what is driving the prices so hard as they are available in all grades. I bought an original PCGS-55 with FB(not noted of course) two years ago for 4.5k and thought that was high.

Now that coin has been seeing levels of 8.5-9.5k at auctions ???

Too Much

7summits

Time to get my XF '16-D out of the coin album and send it in for a slab job

wingedliberty

Oh yes, and if I only had a time machine. I purchase a G4 in 1986 for $195.00, oh those where the days!!!

Fairlaneman

I turned down a AU58 16D 2 years ago for 4 grand because I thought the price was toooo high. What a Bimbo move that was..... Probably my biggest mistake so far in the coin game.

Ken

JRocco

This was my lucky cash register find. I just finally got it slabbed.

marcmoish

Ken,

I admit based on what is going on - you are correct




Marc

mr1931S

Always popular and available at a price. Not a "rare" coin, though. Rarity talk of this coin leans in the direction of "hype." In the same class as '09SVDB Lincoln cent.

$700 for a slicker '16-D? Popular money is talking. Rarity talk falls on my deaf ears.

PTVETTER

I don't think an AG-3 1916-d dime is selling for $700.00 but closer to $500.00

ChuckC

So what's the concensus here? An unexplained sudden surge in popularity? A steady, upward trend that will endure? Buy? Wait?

oreville

Chuck: list all the answers and categorize them and you will see your consensus.

But danger lurks ahead. If you buy based on consensus, you are bound for some disappointments!

You need to trust your own instincts as a collector. Throw out the investor hat since it rarely works.

ChuckC

sage advice, orv. Maybe i'll get lucky like JRocco! Wow! found in a cash register...how did that make you feel man?

hookooekoo

My personal opinion as to why prices for the 1916-D dime is going up is because I think there is a new flood of collectors in recent years caused by the new interest sparked by the state quarters.

At least for me, this is how it started...
Collect these cool new state quarters from circulation, trying to save the best you can find.
But you then find out you can purchase the coins in BU or proofs.
Soon you get tired of the State Quarters, so you start looking at other coins.
The "classic" coins quickly spark and interest because they are about 100 years old and can be picked up cheap.
You try collecting a series of these coins, and one of the most interesting is the dime (large time spand, looks different than today's dimes, and cheaper than 25, 50, or 100 cent pieces).
You start collecting the dimes and soon realize you need a 16-D, and it's THE key date.

Same thing happens to several people, and suddenly the supply and demand equation starts to fall towards demand outstripping supply.

jdimmick

At the ANA, A guy wanted to get rid of two AG-3 16-d dimes and offered them to me at 950.00 for the pair, but I really didnt want them so I passed, but we walked together down to Coleman Foster's table and he paid 525.00 each for them. Had I known that, I would have liked to have made the few bucks myself.

jim

mr1931S

I saw a big pile of mostly well-worn 16-D's at ANA when it came to Denver a number of years ago. Hundreds of them comprised the "Littleton hoard." The story goes that these coins were pulled out of circulation in the '40's by a subway worker in New York as I recall.

Non of those '16-D's were for sale.