Few of the almost 10 million Mercury dimes minted at the Denver Mint in 1919 had "full bands." Three sets of bands hold a bundle of sticks and an axe on the coin's back.
Full-band Mercury dimes have a divided middle band. Though little, this feature adds value to coins. Gem condition 1919-D Mercury dime with entire bands sold for $218,500 in 2000.
The 1916-D Mercury dime has entire bands and is unusual. Denver minted only 264,000 dimes in 1916 because it had to stop production to fulfill a late quarter order.
Mercury dimes with entire bands are unusual due to their low mint number. One sold for $195,500 in 2010. In perfect condition.
Collectors prize the 1918-S Mercury dime, which is hard to locate with intact bands. Rare coins in near-mint condition are hard to locate. Condition again affects Mercury dime values. One in perfect condition sold for $144,000 in 2019.
Like the 1919-D, full-banded 1919-S coins are rare. Nearly nine million of these coins were struck, however they weren't collected like the 1916 dime.
This increased coin circulation, making immaculate coins rare. A near-mint 1919-S Mercury dime sold for $132,000 in 2024.
When the dies for the new year are made, one year's date can be stamped over another, causing overdating. The 1942/1 Mercury dime has a 1 and 2 in the year's last digit. Very rare error. A coin with full bands and mint condition is worth a lot. One sold for $120,000 in 2018.