How do you tell if a Mercury dime has been cleaned?
James Williams
Updated on April 07, 2026
The luster of a cleaned coin will be severely impaired, if not lost altogether. Therefore, if an uncirculated coin has been cleaned, the best way to tell is to see if it has any cartwheel luster. If it doesn’t, then don’t buy the coin.
What is a 1926 dime worth?
The 1926 dime with no mint mark is worth around $3 in good condition. In very fine condition the value is around $5. In extremely fine condition the value is around $7. In uncirculated condition the price is around $25 for coins with an MS 60 grade.
Are Liberty dimes rare?
The rarest full band Mercury Dimes are the 1918-D, 1919-D, 1919-S, 1942/41, 1942/41-D and 1945 is- sues. The 1918-S, 1920-D, 1926-S, and 1927-D are also quite scarce. proof Mercury Dimes can be acquired in choice to gem condition for surprising- ly inexpensive prices.
Are Liberty Head dimes worth anything?
In circulated condition, any Mercury dime sells for about a dollar over its silver value, or about $3. Rolls are readily available in circulated or better condition. Uncirculated examples of common dates (MS60) are worth about $6-8 retail, while MS65 coins bring $25 and the top grade of MS68 is worth $200.
Are cleaned coins worth less?
There’s a reason that a cleaned coin is often worth less than half its original, undamaged value – numismatists simply don’t want them. In fact, in most cases, anything more than a simple surface rinsing with water to dislocate loose debris will actually remove tiny bits of metal from the coin.
How much does cleaning a coin devalue it?
If you try to clean it and end up introducing the slightest amount of wear, it will no longer be uncirculated. You’ve just lost at least 75% of the value, and possibly as much as 90% of the value. This of course depends on the price curve for condition of a particular coin.
Is a 1942 dime worth anything?
Purchasers of pre-1965 90% junk silver can find many 1942 Mercury dimes, since a well-worn silver dime is just worth current silver melt value….Prices for 1942 Mercury Dimes.
| Issue | Extremely Fine-40 | Mint State-65 |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 | $4.60 | $23 |
| 1942-D | $4.60 | $27 |
| 1942-S | $4.60 | $23 |
How much is a 1942 liberty dime worth?
Collectors love 1942 Mercury dimes, which are part of the series of 90% silver coins known more formally as the “Winged Liberty Head” dime….Prices for 1942 Mercury Dimes.
| Issue | Extremely Fine-40 | Mint State-65 |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 | $4.60 | $23 |
| 1942-D | $4.60 | $27 |
| 1942-S | $4.60 | $23 |