1936-S

San Francisco produced 9,210,000 dimes in 1936, a moderate figure that placed the branch mint behind both Philadelphia and Denver for the year. The output reflected established demand patterns for the Pacific Coast economy, where dimes circulated alongside other small change in regular commerce. Most 1936-S pieces entered circulation immediately and saw extensive use during the late 1930s and 1940s, though enough survived in original rolls and collector hands to keep the date accessible in Mint State today. Specialists in Winged Liberty Head dimes generally treat 1936-S as a moderately available date, with conditional challenges appearing at the top of the grading scale, particularly with the Full Bands designation in gem grades.

Adolph A. Weinman's design carries the typical San Francisco strike characteristics for this period, executed on the standard 90% silver and 10% copper composition at 2.5 grams and 17.9 millimeters with a reeded edge. The "S" mintmark appears to the left of the fasces base on the reverse. Full Bands (FB) examples, where the two horizontal bands across the middle of the fasces show complete separation, appear regularly from 1936-S dies, though strike quality varies enough that not every Mint State example qualifies. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) certify the date across all Mint State levels, with populations thinning at MS66 FB and above. Authentication should include weight verification at 2.5 grams and examination of the mintmark style.

Heritage Auctions and Stack's Bowers track active demand for premium 1936-S pieces, with gem FB examples drawing strong bids from set builders. The date offers reasonable access at moderate Mint State levels while presenting genuine challenge at the high end. Original surfaces with consistent luster across the cheek, wing, and reverse fields are the strongest signal of long-term holding value. Read more at the Mercury Dime series history.