How late were Mercs in circulation?

[Weasel_Loader]

Just wanted to know when the last time Mercury dimes were in (common) circulation. I think I still saw Mercury dimes on occasion in the mid to late 70s as a kid, but not sure. I do remember wheat cents common during that time. Never remember any Buffalo nickels in circulation. Maybe the older folks remember them.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[idahotokens]

At least in my area, they were pretty much gone from circulation by the late 1960s. In the mid to early 60s, I put together a couple of almost complete sets (missing the 16-D, of course), but there were only about 10 to a roll of 50 dimes. And, a lot of those showed some pretty serious wear.

John in ID

 

[beach boy]

they stopped making mercury dimes in 1945 i am not sure when people stopped circulation and started collecting as far as wheats they stopped being made in 58 and some are still in circulation.

 

[ivan salis]

well they stopped making them in 1945 --- they slowly filtered out of common pocket coinage over the next 20 years-- in 1964 when the govt pulled all the silver out of the dime quarters , and cut the halves to 40% silver till they final cut the silver out in the halves in 1970. -- most folks pulled the coins when the silver dried up.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Lets see. I remember pulling them out of circulation in the early 70's. Rarely, but often enough it was worth checking.

I agree that prior to 1964 it was less concern about hanging on to the oldies. When the silver disappeared folks grabbed up the old goodies and over 10 the course of 10 years or so they vanished.

 

[Klaatu]

I found a fair number of Mercury Dimes in circulation throughout the '60s but by the late '60s they were uncommon. I can't recall when I found my last Merc in circulation but it had to be no later than the mid-'70s.

 

[Mackaydon]

Throughout the 50s it was not too uncommon to find in circulation late 19th and early 20th Century coins including IH cents, V and Buffalo nickels, and occasionally BH dime, Barber and SL quarters and Barber halves. SL halves and Morgan silver dollars dated 1878 and onward were common and plentiful, especially in any casino. In my experience, all that changed in the 60s and by 1970s it would be a surprise to find any of these coins still in circulation. Had I only known then what I know today...........
Don....