Early dimes could not fit into standard vending machinesĪfter the original inception of the dime, the U.S.To this day, no one knows who “Liberty” is. Though that was only speculation, Weinman claimed to have modeled the Mercury Dime after a lawyer-friend’s wife. They rented an apartment from Weinman in the early 1900s and became close friends. Rampant speculation was that it was sculpted after Wallace Stevens’ wife, Elsie. No one ever came forward as being whom the coin is modeled after. The Mercury Dime model was never mentioned by Adolph Weinman, the designer of the coin. The dime was beautifully crafted, but there were instances throughout its history when the dime and its creator both experienced criticism. Between 19, the Mercury Dime was one of the most popular circulating designs. Though popular, the Mercury Dime was not met without controversy. Phrygian caps are sometimes referred to as Liberty caps, representing freedom and liberty. Though not its original intent, the name Mercury Dime was thus used during its time in circulation. Upon inception of the coin, many in the public believed the cap to look to the Roman god, Mercury. The Mercury Dime gets its name from confusion over the look of the Phrygian cap atop Liberty. The reverse features a fasces and olive branch. Caps of this nature were worn by many people in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, and more appropriately, Phrygia. The obverse features Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap, a conical cap often worn pulled forward. More than you’re your typical dime, there are unique identifiers of the Mercury Dime. A Mercury Dime is a ten-cent coin produced by the U.S.

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