1931-D

Denver's 1931 dime mintage of 1,260,000 ranks among the lowest production totals in the Winged Liberty Head series. The branch mint operated under tight constraints as the Depression deepened, and dime output reflected the reality of an economy where new coinage had little immediate purpose. Many specialists treat 1931-D as a semi-key date, and the pricing structure in auction records bears that out. Surviving examples tend to show heavy wear, since most pieces circulated through the lean years before any meaningful collector interest developed. Roll hoarding of branch mint Mercury dimes did not become widespread until well after the date had already filtered through commerce. The result is a coin where worn examples are findable, but Mint State pieces with attractive surfaces require real searching.

Weinman's design, executed on the standard 90% silver and 10% copper alloy at 2.5 grams and 17.9 millimeters, retains its visual impact on better-struck 1931-D specimens. The "D" mintmark sits to the left of the fasces base on the reverse, and authentication should always begin with confirming the mintmark style and position, since added mintmark fakes occasionally surface for branch mint dates of this era. The Full Bands (FB) designation requires complete separation of the two horizontal bands across the middle of the fasces, and 1931-D dies often struck with adequate central detail, making FB examples more attainable here than on some contemporaneous San Francisco issues. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) both certify the date in FB and non-FB categories, with significant premiums attached to the FB designation in gem grades.

Heritage Auctions and Stack's Bowers have documented strong results for high-end 1931-D dimes, particularly MS66 FB and finer. Population counts thin dramatically at the top of the grading scale. Beginners should expect to pay a meaningful premium even in mid-Mint State. Read more at the Mercury Dime series history.