Are my eyes playing tricks on me? (1921 Mercury Dime)

terribleredmonster · December 22, 2009 1:59AM

Or do I see a very faint D?

Also, as I am not very experienced with this series I'd enjoy hearing opinions on this coin's grade. I'm thinking AG3 but I'm curious if anybody thinks it's strong enough to be G4 and if so, why.

wheatguy · December 22, 2009 2:05AM

I don't think so, the shadow of the mintmark is in the wrong area. As for the grade, I'm sure its in the FA-2 area, maybe AG-3. There is a lot of wear on the letters on the letters of the reverse, which points to an AG-3, but your coin has some slight wear on the obverse lettering, making a FA-2. Might go AG-3 though.

doh · December 22, 2009 2:06AM

Personally, I think it's a 1921-P. It's definitely AG...too much wear into the rims on both sides.

terribleredmonster · December 22, 2009 2:19AM

Just so I'm sure people can see what I'm looking at...

I bought this as a 21P and it was dirt cheap, so I'm not invested in the idea of it being a D. I just saw a little curve that caught my eye.

fcloud · December 22, 2009 2:26AM

I see what you say, but very hard to tell. The area around a mint mark many times will have other features will allow the mint mark to be more easily seen.
I wouldn't commit to saying without seeing it in hand. My best guess is something is just going on in that area.

drwstr123 · December 22, 2009 2:26AM

Microscope time...

fcloud · December 22, 2009 2:30AM

check this link to one someone has for sale on ebay. The coin is worn out and the mint mark is still there.

1921 d

terribleredmonster · December 22, 2009 2:39AM

Okay, I took one more shot at a decent image. My camera just isn't designed for extreme macros.

fcloud, I see what you mean about the eBay merc. That coin is actually a bit more beat up than mine and the mint mark is still pretty plain to see. I don't know what I'm seeing here. i suppose it's possible that there is just some coincidental weirdness on this Philly coin right where a D mint mark would be. Obviously, in this grade it doesn't make much of a difference either way.

fcloud · December 22, 2009 2:47AM

I once had a coin with a very similar situation. There was an "S" as plain as the nose on you face. I sent the coin into ANACS to get certified and they came back with a description of damage in the mint mark area. The coin would have been very rare, but it was found that the coin just had damage in the right area to make it look like something it wasn't. They were able to tell it was a Philadelphia coin by the die markers. If you send it off to be certified you can find out for sure, but is it worth the fees to get your curiosity answered?

terribleredmonster · December 22, 2009 2:52AM

I guess I'll have to think about that. It sure would be if they'd explain along with the determination how they arrived at it, but of course that doesn't happen.

Thanks for your input everybody.

Mercury10c · December 22, 2009 10:53AM

Easily it's an AG3, but sadly, there is no D there. No big loss though, a 21-D in AG3 is not an expensive coin.

Are my eyes playing tricks on me? (1921 Mercury Dime)

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