The Mercury Dime in Folk Magic and Hoodoo Traditions

What Is a Mercury Dime?

The Mercury dime, minted by the United States from 1916-1945, is actually a misnomer. While commonly thought to depict the Roman god Mercury, the coin actually shows Liberty wearing a winged helmet. These 90% silver coins have gained significant importance in various magical traditions despite this misidentification.

Protective Uses

• Hex Detection: A hole is drilled through the dime, which is then worn on a string around the ankle. The dime is believed to absorb harmful magic and turn black when exposed to hexes or jinxes. This has a practical basis, as crossing powders like Goofer Dust and Hot Foot Powder contain sulfur that can oxidize the silver, causing it to blacken.
• Protective Charms: Mercury dimes may be dressed with oils and carried in conjure bags for protection.
• Poison Detection: When worn at the throat or briefly held in the mouth, a silver dime is said to turn black if someone has poisoned your food.

For Luck and Money

• Lucky Charm: Mercury dimes are carried alone or in conjure bags to attract good fortune.
• Money Drawing: They can be dressed with Money Drawing Oil or Fast Luck Oil to enhance their money-attracting properties.
• Leap Year Significance: Dimes minted in leap years (e.g., 1940) are considered especially lucky due to their relative rarity.

Spiritual Uses

• Payment for Graveyard Dirt: Mercury dimes are commonly left as payment when collecting dirt from graves. Practitioners often take soil from the head, heart, and foot areas of a grave, leaving a Mercury dime in each hole as respectful payment to the spirit.
• Connection to the Afterlife: The connection to Mercury (though mistaken) makes sense in this context, as Mercury was the shepherd of the dead in Roman mythology.

In Gambling Charms

• Mojo Hands: A typical gambling charm might include a leap year Mercury dime, a small John the Conqueror root, sugar, and a lucky hand root (a wild orchid root with finger-shaped protrusions), wrapped in a two-dollar bill and placed in a red flannel bag.
• Activation: These charms are typically anointed with good-luck oils like Fast Luck, Three Jacks and a King, or Van Van.
• Symbolic Meaning: The preference for Mercury dimes in gambling makes symbolic sense, as Mercury ruled over games of chance and crossroads, similar to spirits like Ellegua, Legba, or Eshu in African traditions.

Cultural Context

Mercury dimes fit into a broader tradition of money-based lucky charms found across many cultures, from Chinese money bag charms to European silver coin rituals. In American folk magic, the silver Mercury dime ranks alongside the rare $2 bill as particularly lucky currency.