1942 Proof

The 1942 issue closes Mercury Dime proof production. Philadelphia struck 22,329 proofs that year, the highest figure of the seven-year run, before the Treasury suspended proof coinage to redirect Mint resources toward wartime production needs. Proof coinage would not resume until 1950, by which point the Roosevelt dime, introduced in 1946, had replaced the Winged Liberty Head design in the denomination. A proof is a coin specially struck on prepared planchets from polished dies for collector sale, ordered individually or as part of the annual five-coin set. Adolph A. Weinman's design appeared in proof form for the final time on these 1942 pieces, marking the conclusion of a 27-year run across business strikes and collector formats.

Each 1942 proof weighs 2.5 grams, consists of 90% silver and 10% copper, measures 17.9 mm in diameter, and shows a reeded edge. Authentication against prooflike business strikes follows the standard diagnostic checks. First, examine field reflectivity; genuine proofs show deep mirror finish without the cartwheel luster pattern that marks even the brightest business strike. Second, study the rims and denticles, which on a proof appear sharply squared with full and uniform detail around the entire border. Third, confirm complete design transfer at high points, especially the central horizontal band on the fasces and feather definition on Liberty's wing. Die-polish lines on genuine proofs run in steady directional patterns. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) certify these coins and apply Cameo (CAM) and Deep Cameo (DCAM) designations to pieces with sufficient device frost contrast.

Heritage Auctions records show frequent 1942 proof offerings across PR65 through PR68 grades, with Cameo examples carrying meaningful premiums. Collectors building a date-and-mintmark set should keep an eye on registry-set premiums when assessing comparable certified examples. See the Mercury Dime series history.