1938 S Mercury Dime F1

• Category: Mercury Dimes (1916-1945)
• Mint: San Francisco
• Mintage: 8,090,000
• Obverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
• Reverse Designer: Adolph A. Weinman
• Composition: Silver
• Fineness: 0.9
• Weight: 2.5g
• ASW: 0.0723oz
• Melt Value: $1.76 (8/26/2023)
• Diameter: 17.8mm
• Edge: Reeded

As with Denver's dime coinage for 1938, this was the last San Francisco issue to have a mintage below 10 million pieces. Even so, the widespread practice of saving BU rolls was well in place by 1938, and there's no shortage of Mint State 1938-S dimes. This issue varies widely in striking quality, so collectors will want to shop around. Full Bands examples are in the minority, but they are more likely to be submitted for grading, and this accounts for the certified population below.