Barber had been struck for 25 years, and could be replaced by the Treasury, of which the Mint is a part, without Congressional authorization. The coin's reverse depicts a fasces, symbolizing unity and strength, and an olive branch, signifying peace.īy 1916, the dime, quarter, and half dollar designed by Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Weinman is believed to have used Elsie Stevens, the wife of lawyer and poet Wallace Stevens, as a model. Designed by Adolph Weinman and also referred to as the Winged Liberty Head dime, it gained its common name because the obverse depiction of a young Liberty, identifiable by her winged Phrygian cap, was confused with the Roman god Mercury. The Mercury dime is a ten-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from late 1916 to 1945. Philadelphia Mint specimens lack mint mark. Located on reverse between letter 'E' in 'ONE' and the base of the olive branch.
