The Mercury dime was designed by Adolph A. Weinman and was minted from 1916 through 1945. Although called a Mercury dime they do not portray Mercury but rather Liberty. The wings on her cap represent freedom of thought and it is from the winged cap that we get the image of Mercury. The reverse depicts the Roman fasces a bundle of rods, the center rod being an ax. The obverse and reverse images gives this coin it’s split personality due to the fact that one side celebrates Freedom of Thought while the other side celebrates absolute power of the state. This coin is truly a part of American History! Each coin is prong set from the back with a simulated rope chain boarder around the bezel.