More Than Mercury Dimes

The custom of using Mercury dimes in hoodoo is well known, to the point that some folks even say that the Mercury dime is the most traditional thing to use for rites like buying grave dirt.

The Mercury dime was produced from 1916 to 1945, but dimes have been produced in the US since 1792. Until 1965, it was the smallest denomination of silver coin and so was popular for use in folk magic, where silver is generally held to be a valuable ingredient for removing jinxes and protecting from harm.

Data indicates that the tradition of using silver dimes in hoodoo goes back at least to the early 19th century. Archaeologists have found drilled dimes -- such as one would use for making a protective jewelry charm -- in the remains of old slave quarters. Before the Mercury dime, here were some of the other dime styles available:

The "Draped Bust" dime, 1796 - 1807.


"Capped Bust" dime, 1809 - 1837.

"Seated Liberty" dime, 1837 - 1891.

The "Barber Dime" used 1892 - 1916.

When the U.S. Mint shifted away from silver in 1965, the supply of “working” dimes began to dry up. Old-timers held onto their silver coins and passed them down, while younger workers had to make do with what they could find. Today, collectors and spiritual suppliers alike sell Mercury dimes at a premium, and many folks will accept a Barber or Seated Liberty dime as just as effective. The important part is the silver content, not the portrait stamped on the obverse. Still, nostalgia and tradition have a power of their own, and the Mercury dime keeps its place at the center of the lore.

Some of this may be because of the "Mercury" association -- although the so-called Mercury Dime does not really show a portrait of the ancient god Mercury, many people mistook the portrait of liberty for him (he is often depicted with wings, either on his head, his back or his ankles.) 

It’s also worth remembering that a coin is money, and money is power in itself. A silver dime in a mojo hand isn’t just a shiny object—it’s currency, portable wealth, and a reminder of prosperity. In that sense, the dime has a double virtue: its material (silver) repels harm, and its form (money) attracts good. That may be why dimes, more than nickels or quarters, took on this strong role in hoodoo tradition.