Why is the Mercury dime called the Mercury dime?
Ernest HancockTechnically the coins are supposed to be called Liberty dimes and the winged Liberty cap worn by Miss Liberty is supposed to symbolize freedom. But the design looks so much like the winged helmet worn by the Greek god Mercury...
Ernie may not like FDR on his real money... but the Mercury-- I mean "Liberty" dime has the wunderbar fasces on the reverse. Ugh! The state knew what it was doing when it placed its "image and inscription" upon the coin, whether it was 1920 or 1970.