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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-05-016058.txt : 20050310
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-05-016058.hdr.sgml : 20050310
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050310205029
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-05-016058
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050308
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050310
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050310

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MERCANTILE BANKSHARES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000064908
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				520898572
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 HOPKINS PLZ
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 1477
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4102375900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1477
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 1477
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21203

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			REID J MARSHALL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001243811

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-05127
		FILM NUMBER:		05673796

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO HOPKINS PLAZS
		STREET 2:		C/O MERCANTILE BANKSHARES CORP
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd72058.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 FILING 3/10/05
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-03-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000064908</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MERCANTILE BANKSHARES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>(MRBK)</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001243811</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>REID J MARSHALL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TWO HOPKINS PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BALTIMORE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>21201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-03-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30044</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8021</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Owned by Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Right to Buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>51.22</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-03-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These restricted shares and options were granted under the 1999 Mercantile Bankshares Corporation Omnibus Stock Plan and become exercisable in three equal annual installments beginning March 9, 2006.  The options expire on March 7, 2015.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Plus an indeterminable number of additional shares which may be issued on the vesting of the above shares of restricted stock, as if cash dividends had been paid on such stock and reinvested under the Issuer's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Not Applicable</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Dennis W. Kreiner p/a for J Marshall Reid</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-03-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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