Authenticity of this 1921 Mercury Dime

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by BryceS, Dec 20, 2022.

  1. BryceS

    BryceS Member

    Hello all,

    I picked up this 1921 Mercury Dime at auction, and now that I have the coin in hand, its surfaces seem a little bit off. With that said, I would appreciate it if you all could help me determine if this is a genuine dime that has just been polished, or if it is, indeed, a fake. Thank you so much!

    1921 dime obverse.jpg 1921 dime reverse.jpg 1921 dime date.jpg
     
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  3. Spark1951

    Spark1951 Accomplishment, not Activity

    I don’t see any evidence of polishing, but I don’t like the dot between the E&T of WE TRUST.
    …calling all Winged Liberty experts to chime in…Spark
     
  4. expat

    expat Remember you are unique, just like everyone else Supporter

    Normally have another dot between IN GOD
    [​IMG]
    EDIT: Image doesn't show for some reason
     
  5. expat

    expat Remember you are unique, just like everyone else Supporter

  6. Dynoking

    Dynoking Well-Known Member

    The details of the obverse device appear soft. The font of the 9 doesn’t match known genuine examples.
     
    Spark1951, Mr.Q and SensibleSal66 like this.
  7. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    I agree.
     
    Mr.Q likes this.
  8. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    I don’t think that it is genuine. As others have said, the “9” in the date is open at the bottom of the circle in the genuine pieces. This one is closed. There is a missing dot between “IN” and “GOD” in the motto. Given the grade, EF, post mint damage could not have changes those features. The surfaces also have a grainy, not satiny, finish.
     
  9. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    Also, the 2 looks funky
     
  10. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    It has an off look. Not just the surfaces portrait looks flat and weak without any real wear
     
    Mr.Q likes this.
  11. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    Here are some pictures I took from the PCGS Coinfacts site.

    1921 Coin Facts.jpg

    A close-up of the date shows quite a difference.

    1921 Dime Date.jpg
     
    -jeffB and Mr.Q like this.
  12. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    There are also small casting bubbles around the perimeter of the reverse.
    Send it back.
     
    Kasia and Mr.Q like this.
  13. Nathan401

    Nathan401 Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    That 2 in the date is all wrong.
     
  14. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    Here are cropped images of the piece. Yes, I think that it is a cast counterfeit. If you can, return it.

    1921 Dime cast Counter O.jpg 1921 Dime cast Counter R.jpg
     
  15. Mr.Q

    Mr.Q Well-Known Member

    When in doubt leave it alone!
     
  16. Spark1951

    Spark1951 Accomplishment, not Activity

    Yep. My bad…those dots are supposed to be there. So one is missing, the 9 is wrong, the 2 is wrong and it looks like a cast fake. You definitely need to send it back…Spark
     
    Mr.Q likes this.
  17. mikenoodle

    mikenoodle The Village Idiot Supporter

    Your coin is NOT cast. It is a genuine Mercury Dime. If you look closely, it's an altered 1924
     
    expat likes this.
  18. expat

    expat Remember you are unique, just like everyone else Supporter

    I agree, now you pointed it out I can see a faint outline of the left side of the four. And, as a consequence, the 1 is too far away from the two.
     
  19. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    I'm not sure that the OP coin came from the U.S. Mint. There are sill issues with the "9" in the date. These photos are from Coinfacts.

    1924 Mercury Dime.jpg

    1924 Dime Date.jpg
     
    Mainebill likes this.
  20. Michael K

    Michael K Well-Known Member

    If it was an altered 1924 there's no reason to destroy the 9.
    I agree with Dynoking. Not thrilled with the 2 as well.
     
    Dynoking likes this.
  21. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    Definitely cast. It took me approximately 3.2 seconds to determine this is a fake.

    "In Cod We Trust"

    I mean, I'm a huge seafood lover, but I don't put my faith in the fish.
     
    masterswimmer and Mainebill like this.
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