1942/1 Mercury Dime (10c)

The 1942/1 Mercury Dime represents one of the most fascinating overdate varieties in 20th-century American numismatics. During the war years, the Philadelphia Mint repurposed a 1941-dated die by punching a "2" over the "1" to create 1942-dated coins. This resourceful approach, born of wartime metal conservation efforts, created a distinct variety that's visible even to the naked eye with the remnants of the "1" clearly visible beneath the "2".

This F12 example certified by PCGS displays honest wear from circulation with an attractive medium gray patina throughout. The overdate feature remains clearly visible, with the underlying "1" still discernible beneath the "2" in the date. The surfaces show the expected wear for the grade, yet remain free of significant marks or damage. The coin retains good definition in Liberty's hair and the fasces on the reverse, making it an excellent representative example of this popular wartime variety.