Oct 24th, 2024 ·
Barber dimes are a series of dimes that are a part of the Barber coinage. They were designed by Charles E. Barber and minted between 1892 and 1916.
These coins represent an interesting period in the history of U.S. minting. Replacing the valuable Seated Liberty dime, Barber dimes reflect the desire for modern-looking coins that are easy to mass produce.
The obverse of the Barber dime features a right-facing profile of Liberty wearing a crown of olive branches. On the reverse, you’ll find the denomination “ONE DIME” encircled by a wreath.
If you’re wondering if your dimes are worth money, you could be in luck. Factors including date, mintmark, and condition are all important in determining a coin’s worth. Interestingly, some variants of Barber dimes are some of the rarest and most valuable coins out there.
Reach out to us for a free coin appraisal if you’re curious about the value of your Barber dimes. You can also download our free instant value guide to assess your coins’ worth for yourself.
Now, let’s explore the 10 most valuable Barber dimes.
Year: 1894
Mint Location: San Francisco
Mintage: 24
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Numismatic Guaranty Company
The 1894-S Barber dime is by far the most valuable, being worth over $1 million in top condition. This high price is due to its exceptionally low mintage – only 24 dimes were struck in total, and just 9 are known today.
It’s unknown why so few of these dimes were minted. However, there are plenty of theories, from being struck to balance the books by $2.40, to test the dies, or as gifts for important bankers.
Whatever the case, these coins are difficult to come by. They sell well at auction, with the record sitting at a whopping $1,997,500 in 2016 from the Florida United Numismatists show.
Year: 1895
Mint Location: New Orleans
Mintage: 440,000
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The next key date to look out for is the 1895-O Barber dime. This issue has a very low mintage of 440,000, attributed to the impact of the severe economic depression between 1894 and 1896 on the New Orleans Mint.
This variant is very scarce in all grades and particularly so in higher ones. Its auction record sits at $58,756 in 2017; however, lower-graded coins typically earn between $260 and $665.
It’s also important to note that this coin is commonly counterfeited. Watch out for fuzzy features or a weak design, which are typical of a counterfeit coin.
Year: 1901
Mint Location: San Francisco
Mintage: 593,022
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1901-S Barber dime is another rare coin in this series. This coin can be worth up to $31,500 in higher grades, with its auction record sitting at $25,850 in 2015. However, in circulated condition, the coin may be worth between $55 and $1,250.
This coin is in high demand due to its scarcity and historical significance. It has an incredibly low mintage, which is the source of its scarcity.
Furthermore, 1901 was an important year for the Barber dime, as it bridges the gap between the 19th and 20th centuries. The rarity of the San Francisco variation makes it a desirable coin to have in your collection.
Year: 1903
Mint Location: San Francisco
Mintage: 613,300
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
With the third lowest mintage out of 20th-century Barber dimes, the 1903-S is another popular coin among collectors.
It’s highly sought after due to its low mintage and lack of high-quality grades. Many examples of this coin have been either lost or heavily circulated.
In circulated condition, this coin can be worth between $47.50 and $1,225. Its auction record sits at $17,038 from 2014 for a very high-grade example.
Year: 1896
Mint Location: San Francisco
Mintage: 575,056
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1896-S Barber dime is another rare issue of this coin.
Several factors, such as its low mintage, historical significance, and scarcity in high grades, make it an alluring coin to have in your collection.
In circulated condition, this coin can be worth between $55 and $700. Examples in pristine condition can be worth around $7,000; however, this coin is also known to be sold for a much higher price in mint condition. Its auction record sits at $19,550 from 2003.
Year: 1897
Mint Location: New Orleans
Mintage: 666,000
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
With moderately scarce examples across all grades, the 1897-O Barber dime is an elusive coin all around. In circulated condition, this issue can be worth between $50 and $925.
Pristine examples of this coin go for much higher, with the auction record sitting at $28,750 for a very high-grade example.
Interestingly, some examples of this coin feature a repunched mintmark, although this doesn’t contribute much to its value. There are also rumors of coins existing with repunched dates, but this has never been confirmed.
Year: 1893
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: unknown
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Numismatic Guaranty Company
Known for its controversial status, the 1893/2 overdated Barber dime is another valuable coin to have in your collection.
The issue is characterized by a horizontal bar that’s visible in the bottom loop of the “3” in the date. Many believe this to be the remnants of an underlying “2.”
Some numismatists don’t acknowledge this as a unique variety, and its status is hotly debated—NGC no longer views it as a rare variety.
The exact mintage is also unknown, as it is counted as part of the 1893 Philadelphia production, which has a mintage of 3,339,940. This coin is valued at around $500 to $2,200, depending on its condition.
Year: 1905
Mint Location: New Orleans
Mintage: 3,400,000
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1905-O Barber dime is an interesting date in the series. As a late-middle date, its use was heavily circulated, attributed to its rarity in higher grades. In circulated condition, this coin sells between $5 and $250.
A “Micro O” variety of this coin exists. Due to an error where the mintmark punch for Barber quarters was mistakenly applied to some dimes, some coins in this issue feature a micro “O.”
These coins are especially valuable, being worth between $40 and $2,000 in circulated condition and up to $18,500 for pristine examples.
Year: 1892
Mint Location: San Francisco
Mintage: 990,710
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
As the first year of issue from San Francisco, the 1892-S Barber dime is a rare and valuable coin. Its relatively low mintage is due to the excess production of dimes from the San Francisco Mint the year before.
In circulated condition, these coins are worth between $85 and $450. However, they can also go for much higher, with the auction record sitting at $25,300 in 2005.
Year: 1904
Mint Location: San Francisco
Mintage: 800,000
Price based on condition:
Image Credit: Numismatic Guaranty Company
The 1904-S Barber dime is another popular Barber dime to collect. As another issue with a low mintage, its rarity and scarcity in higher grades make it a valuable coin for collectors.
Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin is a popular addition to any collection. In circulated condition, it can be worth between $22 and $775.
However, in uncirculated conditions, the price can stretch into thousands of dollars and even reach as high as $20,000 for well-preserved examples.
Barber dimes can be quite valuable due to their historical significance and the rareness of particular varieties.
Whether you’re a collector or have stumbled across old dimes, it’s always worth checking their value. In comparison to other coins, such as valuable Mercury dimes, the Barber dime is a particularly valuable coin to collect.
If you are curious about the value of your Barber dimes, you can reach out to us for a free at-home or online coin appraisal from our experts.
You can also sell your coins to us using our straightforward process.
Wyatt McDonald President & Co-Founder of Coinfully. A student of numismatics and trained in the ANA Seminar in Denver, Wyatt is the face of Coinfully and a true expert. After spending a decade buying coins over the counter at a coin shop, he knew there had to be a better way, for everyone involved.
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