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The United States was already fully engaged in World War II by the dawning days of 1942. With this, the collective national attention was focused less on luxuries and more on everyday needs, with the production of cars, boats, and other expensive goods largely directed to military needs. This was certainly the case with the production of proof coinage, which was deemed a numismatic trifle – certainly not a wartime necessity.
The year 1942 did see production of proof coins in the United States, and 1942 proof Mercury dimes aren’t patently scarce. However, high-end specimens are. Examples grading better than PR67 are rare. A few survive in PR69, and one exceptional, PCGS-graded representative of this grade commanded a stunning $37,600 at auction in 2015.
The wartime economy booming and with a need to churn out business-strike coinage for commerce needs, the US Mint produced the last proof coins the decade of the 1940s would see. This also included the last batch of Mercury dimes, a series that ended in 1945 – the year beloved President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died. His likeness appears on dimes minted since 1946.
Obverse Description
Winged Liberty, or Mercury (the Roman god of commerce), is depicted facing left with LIBERTY spelled around the periphery. IN GOD WE TRUST appears left of the neck and the date is positioned just below the bust around 5 o'clock. The designer's initials "AW" appear to the right of the neck.
Reverse Description
A large torch is centered vertically adorned with an axe head and olive branches. UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN * ONE DIME * is spelled out around the periphery.
Catalog Information
GSID:
4647
Designer:
Adolph A. Weinman
Obverse Designer:
Adolph A. Weinman
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, W, 1942
Reverse Designer:
Adolph A. Weinman
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE DIME
Fineness:
0.9
Weight (gr):
2.5 gr
Weight (oz):
0.08 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.0723 oz
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
17.9
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Reeded
Coin Date:
1942
Denomination:
10c
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
22,329
Coinage Type:
Winged liberty head (Mercury) dime
Coinage Years:
1916-1945
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #:
5077
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Coin Value History
1942 10c PR
Value By Grade
1942 10c PR
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR69 |
|
$26,500 | $1,234 |
| PR69 | - | $18,000 | $1,234 |
| PR68 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR68 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR67 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR67 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
1942 10C PR67 NGC. CDN: $240 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR67. Mintage 22,329. ...
$329
1942 10C PR66 NGC. CDN: $155 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR66. Mintage 22,329. ...
$201
1942 Mercury Dime. Proof-68 (PCGS).
$1,342
1942 Mercury Dime. Proof-65 (PCGS).
$220
1942 10C PR63 PCGS. CDN: $110 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR63. Mintage 22,329. ...
$124
1942 10C PR64 PCGS. CDN: $120 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR64. Mintage 22,329. ...
$129
1942 Mercury Dime. Proof-62 (NGC).
$105
1942 10C PR69 NGC. ...
$12,000
1942 10C PR60 PCGS. PCGS Population (9/5486). NGC Census: (1/3898). Mintage: 22,329. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem free...
$96
1942 10C PR61 PCGS. PCGS Population (13/5145). NGC Census: (0/3529). Mintage: 22,329. Numismedia Wsl. Price for NGC/PCGS co...
$150
1942 10C PR67 PCGS. CDN: $240 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR67. Mintage 22,329. ...
$281
1942 Mercury Dime. Proof-66 (NGC). OH.
$244
1942 10C PR68+ PCGS. ...
$3,660
1942 10C PR65 CACG. Mintage 22,329....
$220
1942 10C PR63 PCGS. Housed in a Generation 3.0 green label holder. CDN: $110 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR63. Mintage 22,329....
$119
1942 10C PR64 PCGS. Mintage 22,329. ...
$119
1942 10C PR62 NGC. NGC Census: (31/4412). PCGS Population: (77/6451). CDN: $110 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR62. Mintage 22,32...
$99
1942 10C PR69 PCGS. CAC. ...
$37,600
1942 10C --Obverse Scratched--NCS. Proof. NGC Census: (1/3628). PCGS Population (8/5084). Mintage: 22,329. Numismedia Wsl. P...
$98
1942 PR 61 PCGS. ...
$121
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Events
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Friday, May 1, 2026
