1942-D 1942/1-D Overdate

The 1942/1-D overdate is the Denver counterpart to the famous Philadelphia 1942/1 and is similarly classified as a Key Date for the Mercury Dime series. The variety was discovered later than its Philadelphia sibling, with the first published reports appearing in the early 1960s after collectors and dealers began systematically searching wartime dimes for date anomalies. Mintage is included in the broader 60,740,000 Denver total for 1942 and was never separately tracked. Surviving populations are smaller than the Philadelphia variety, which makes the 1942/1-D a tougher acquisition in any grade and a particularly difficult coin to find with Full Bands.

Weinman's design carries Liberty in her winged Phrygian cap on the obverse with the diagnostic date below. The Denver diagnostic is more subtle than the Philadelphia variety and requires 5x to 10x magnification: the most reliable tell is a short raised spur of the underdigit 1 visible at the base of the 2, distinct from die wear or strike artifacts. The variety is cataloged as FS-101 for Denver in the Cherrypickers' Guide. Authentication is essential because the date area is the prime target for tooling and engraving on a standard 1942-D, and altered pieces have circulated in the market for decades. PCGS and NGC both examine the date under high magnification, verify the underdigit position and the surrounding metal flow against confirmed die diagnostics, and assess whether the D mintmark style and overall die state match the certified specimens. No serious purchase should proceed without a current major-service certification slab. The reverse fasces and olive branch follow standard Weinman design.

Heritage Auctions and Stack's Bowers have both posted strong five-figure to six-figure results for Mint State examples, with circulated pieces still bringing premiums well into four figures. Original surfaces with consistent luster across the cheek, wing, and reverse fields are the strongest signal of long-term holding value. Buyers should match expected prices against current Heritage Auctions and Stack's Bowers Galleries records before committing to a purchase. The Mercury Dime series history provides further context.