Arcs-en-ciel The Valkyries Mercury Dimes
Private
Updated:
3/5/2026
Views: 3,098
This set has been a work-in-progress for years. I've collected Mercury dimes since they were pocket change--or, more accurately, a not-insignificant part of a day's earnings delivering papers, doing yard work or shoveling snow---during my childhood in the 1950's. I lived in Canada, but only 500 yards from the US border, so Mercury dimes, Buffalo nickels and even Morgan and Peace dollars circulated freely and unnoticed. Like everyone else, I started with Whitman folders, slowly replacing each coin with better ones as I found them, then graduated to ANACS, NGC and PCGS rattlers and OGH when third-party grading hit the scene.
Though the name, "Arcs-en-ciel" ("Rainbows"), suggests otherwise, the theme of the set is not so much color, but originality. Fans of "blast white" coins will probably not think much of this set, but nature just does not permit silver to stay mint fresh white for 75-100 years. With a few exceptions, the coins in the set are all PQ original FB dimes with desirable qualities---be it unique color, cartwheel luster, or P/L. I'm content with most of the coins but will selectively upgrade when and if the right opportunities present themselves. I'm looking for a PQ '42/1 in 63FB or better (never found an MS example I liked for what I was willing to pay) .
FB Mercury dimes were in the doldrums for a decade or more, but the keys and semi-keys have skyrocketed in price since mid-2012. Even common issues have reached dizzying levels in high (67/68) FB grades. All things considered, 2016 might not be the best time to start a high-end FB set or to do any major up-grading, though prices seem to have retreated a bit from their highest levels. No-band MS and circulated Mercury dimes are considerably cheaper, but have no appreciation potential and are, for all practical purposes, illiquid. It's a sure bet that the collector of no-band dimes will own them for life or take a beating on resale. For the youngster or collector on a tight budget, the late-date or short set in FB (minus the '45 and the overdates) is the way to go.
I enjoy exchanges with other collectors and have developed several friendships through the hobby. I've helped more than a few fellow collectors build some serious sets, including current and past PCGS and NGC registry sets. I don't trade in coins for profit and am delighted to give anyone a heads-up when I find a coin that I know they need for their set. Please feel free to send me a message with any questions, comments, advice, critiques, etc. Happy collecting. Kaiser14
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Arcs-en-ciel The Valkyries Mercury Dimes
By Kaiser141
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