1945 10c Double Die Obverse, FS-101 MS

Doubled die obverse. The last year of the Mercury dime series came and went with little fanfare, and Philadelphia specimens of the 1945 issue are widely available in all circulated grades. Interestingly, non-Full Bands examples of the Philly-mint issue are extraordinarily common in grades through MS67. However, this relatively common date spawned one last “hurrah” for collectors, at least those vying for well-struck specimens. Very few Full Bands specimens are available, and the 1945 Philly Mint Mercury dime in all FB Mint State grades is a considerable rarity.

Obverse Description

Winged Liberty, or Mercury (the Roman god of commerce), is depicted facing left with LIBERTY spelled around the periphery. IN GOD WE TRUST appears left of the neck and the date is positioned just below the bust around 5 o'clock. The designer's initials "AW" appear to the right of the neck.

Reverse Description

A large torch is centered vertically adorned with an axe head and olive branches. UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN * ONE DIME * is spelled out around the periphery. Mint mark, if any, appears near the bottom rim left of the torch.