What date is this Merc?

KISHU1 · March 25, 2008 11:13AM

I found this in a roll of junk silver, whats your opinion.

Thanks

Frank

busco69 · March 25, 2008 11:16AM

1920 Thats a guess

Mercury10c · March 25, 2008 11:19AM

At first I though 21, but the more I look, the more I thinks it's a 20.

woodardcoin · March 25, 2008 11:22AM

1926

nankraut · March 25, 2008 11:24AM

Looks like a 1926 to me.

Edscoin · March 25, 2008 11:26AM

I agree looks like a 26

RichieURich · March 25, 2008 11:28AM

Looks like a 1920 that someone tried to tool into a 1921.

doh · March 25, 2008 11:37AM

Probably a 26, maybe a 21, definitely not a 20.

JimK · March 25, 2008 11:43AM

I'll go along with the 1926 crowd...

UtahCoin · March 25, 2008 11:44AM

<< <i>At first I though 21, but the more I look, the more I thinks it's a 20. >>

Me too. Or a 26

yellowjacket · March 25, 2008 11:47AM

I'm almost sure it's a 1921. Check with David Lange's excellent reference on Mercury's and look carefully at the dates.

It's definitely not a 1926 since the nine is "open." Open nines are from before 1926.

The one's are "concave" in appearance from top to bottom and have serifs with a thick lower half. Very distinctive of 1921's

The two has a knob at the top and is more "pointed" at the lower front than a 1920.

I would suggest the poster get examples of 1920, 1921, and 1926 dated coins and compare with this example to make a decision.

My vote is 1921.

Garrow

fastrudy · March 25, 2008 11:54AM

I was going to say 1926, but if this is true:

Open nines are from before 1926

then I don't know what it is.

KISHU1 · March 25, 2008 12:08PM

Thanks to all who responded. Looking at the date without magnification it looks like it might be a 1921 and that is what I wanted to find out if there were any other ways of telling what date it is.

Thanks

Frank

yellowjacket · March 25, 2008 12:23PM

If you feel lucky, you can always send it in to PCGS for their opinion.

Garrow

Bigrig52 · March 25, 2008 12:25PM

1926

Overdate · March 25, 2008 12:38PM

I'm 99.9 percent certain it's a 1921. The digits of the date had a very distinct look for that year.

Compare it with the 1920, 1921 and 1926 dimes on eBay, and you'll see what I mean.

Fairlaneman · March 25, 2008 12:47PM

Here are pictures of a 1926 and a 1916 to compare the date styles. I will say that I do have another 1926 coin that does appear to have a closed date from my photo. I do not have the coin here to check for sure.

If the OP could show a picture of his coins reverse I could say for sure if it is a coin before 1926 or a 1926 coin.

Ken

fcloud · March 25, 2008 12:59PM

Here are some coins to compare to.

KISHU1 · March 25, 2008 1:04PM

Here is the reverse, Thanks

Fairlaneman · March 25, 2008 1:06PM

<< <i>Here is the reverse, Thanks

>>

It is before 1926 for sure. The area circled in the second picture is the dead give away that the coin is not a 1926. All mercs minted during 1926 and after are missing some detail in this area. Look at the coins that Tony put up and you will see the difference in the circled area.

I say its a 21 now.

Ken

leothelyon · March 26, 2008 1:47AM

<< <i> It is before 1926 for sure. The area circled in the second picture is the dead give away that the coin is not a 1926. All mercs minted during 1926 and after are missing some detail in this area. Look at the coins that Tony put up and you will see the difference in the circled area.

I say its a 21 now.

Ken >>

Interesting observation! I can see stems to the leaves on the 1921 and that the 1926 shows much longer leaves extending back over the fasces. Are we thinking 1920 again?

Leo

57loaded · March 26, 2008 2:06AM

wow! great detective work....great post and threads.

au58 · March 26, 2008 2:31AM

It's a 21.

JSsson · March 26, 2008 4:40AM

It looks like a 1926 date to me.

fcloud · March 26, 2008 11:12AM

<< <i>It looks like a 1926 date to me. >>

Check the image of the 1926 I put up, and compare it to the area circled by Ken. It is clearly not a 1926 as the mint had repaired the dies and the stems are separated.

I think there is a very good chance it is a 1921, but without seeing it in hand there is a chance it is a 1920 with some sort of damage.

Overdate · March 26, 2008 12:24PM

The shape of the first two digits indicates it's a 1921. The 1920 and 1926 are very different.

yellowjacket · March 26, 2008 1:18PM

Again, look at the numerals you CAN see, 1,9, and the 2. The 2 has a distinctive look for 1921 as do the other numerals. It's a 1921.

Garrow

DennisH · March 26, 2008 2:27PM

Here's a closeup of the date on a PCGS-graded VG10 1921-P Mercury (taken from slightly below the numerals, rather than from directly overhead):

What date is this Merc?

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