Barber Dime
(1892 – 1916)
The Barber Dime, minted from 1892 to 1916, stands as one of the most iconic and enduring U.S. coin series. Designed by Charles E. Barber, the series reflects a transitional period in American coinage, bridging the late 19th century and the dawn of the 20th century. With its timeless design and historical significance, the Barber Dime captures an important era in U.S. history, including the economic ups and downs, the industrial boom, and the evolving cultural landscape.
While many of the coins in this series are fairly common and can be found with relative ease in lower grades, there are also several key dates and varieties that truly stand out in the world of numismatics. These rare coins are often highly coveted by collectors, and they tend to fetch significant premiums due to their scarcity. For example, certain San Francisco and New Orleans minted issues, as well as certain mint mark errors, have become staples of advanced collectors’ wish lists.
For collectors, the Barber Dime series offers a perfect balance between accessibility and challenge. Whether you’re just starting your collection or you’re seeking out the elusive key dates to complete a full set, this series offers something for everyone.
Valuation Chart
Year | Mint Mark | Good (G-4) | Fine (F-12) | Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Mint State (MS-60) | Notes |
1892 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | First year of issue |
1892 | O | $10 | $20 | $50 | $150 | New Orleans mint |
1892 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Lower mintage |
1893 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1893 | O | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | Moderate scarcity |
1893 | S | $15 | $40 | $120 | $350 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1894 | None | $20 | $50 | $150 | $400 | Scarce date |
1894 | O | $25 | $60 | $180 | $500 | Low mintage |
1894 | S | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Only 24 minted; extremely rare |
1895 | None | $10 | $25 | $75 | $200 | Common date |
1895 | O | $350 | $700 | $1,600 | $6,500 | Key date |
1895 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Moderate scarcity |
1896 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1896 | O | $20 | $50 | $150 | $500 | Scarce in higher grades |
1896 | S | $25 | $60 | $180 | $600 | Low mintage |
1897 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1897 | O | $20 | $50 | $150 | $500 | Scarce in higher grades |
1897 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Moderate scarcity |
1898 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1898 | O | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | Moderate scarcity |
1898 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1899 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1899 | O | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | Moderate scarcity |
1899 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1900 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1900 | O | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | Moderate scarcity |
1900 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1901 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1901 | O | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | Moderate scarcity |
1901 | S | $60 | $150 | $625 | $1,100 | Key date |
1902 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1902 | O | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | Moderate scarcity |
1902 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1903 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1903 | O | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | Moderate scarcity |
1903 | S | $80 | $200 | $950 | $1,300 | Key date |
1904 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1904 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1905 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1905 | O | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | Moderate scarcity |
1905 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1905 | O Micro O | $50 | $150 | $300 | $700 | Variety; highly sought after |
1906 | None | $5 | $10 | $30 | $100 | Common date |
1906 | D | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | First Denver mint issue |
1906 | O | $10 | $25 | $75 | $250 | Moderate scarcity |
1906 | S | $15 | $35 | $100 | $300 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1907 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1907 | D | $4 | $10 | $45 | $110 | Moderate scarcity |
1907 | O | $4 | $30 | $70 | $110 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1907 | S | $4 | $15 | $75 | $150 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1908 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1908 | D | $4 | $6 | $28 | $75 | Moderate scarcity |
1908 | O | $6 | $45 | $95 | $150 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1908 | S | $4 | $15 | $45 | $170 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1909 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1909 | D | $8 | $60 | $140 | $225 | Key date |
1909 | O | $5 | $13 | $70 | $150 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1909 | S | $9 | $80 | $180 | $310 | Key date |
1910 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1910 | D | $4 | $10 | $48 | $95 | Moderate scarcity |
1910 | S | $6 | $50 | $110 | $180 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1911 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1911 | D | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1911 | S | $4 | $10 | $40 | $100 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1912 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1912 | D | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1912 | S | $4 | $5 | $35 | $100 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1913 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1913 | S | $40 | $135 | $280 | $550 | Key date |
1914 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1914 | D | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1914 | S | $4 | $10 | $45 | $100 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1915 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1915 | D | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Common date |
1915 | S | $17 | $41 | $98 | $130 | Scarcer in higher grades |
1916 | None | $4 | $6 | $25 | $75 | Final year of issue |
1916 | S | $7 | $9 | $16 | $35 | Final year of issue |
NOTE: This chart highlights some notable years and types but isn’t exhaustive. Some coins in un-circulated or certified high grades can fetch thousands.
Key Dates & Varieties
These coins are notable for their rarity and higher value:​
1894-S: Only 24 minted; one of the rarest U.S. coins.
1895-O: Low mintage of 440,000; highly prized.
1896-S: Scarce in higher grades.
1901-S: Low mintage and high demand.
1913-S: Final year with a low mintage.
1903-S: Another low-mintage issue.
1905-O Micro O: Variety with a smaller-than-normal mintmark.
Value Overview
Values can vary significantly based on condition and Key Dates:
1895-O:
Good (G-4): $350
Extremely Fine (EF-40): $3,750
1901-S:
Good (G-4): $60
Extremely Fine (EF-40): $625
1903-S:
Good (G-4): $80
Extremely Fine (EF-40): $950
1905-O Micro O:
Good (G-4): $50
Extremely Fine (EF-40): $300
1913-S:
Good (G-4): $30
Extremely Fine (EF-40): $350
Historical Context by Year
1892: Introduction of the Barber Dime, designed by Charles E. Barber, replacing the Seated Liberty design. Production began in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco.
1893: Continued production at the three mints. The economic challenges from the Panic of 1893 impacted coin circulation.
1894: A key year with only 24 proof dimes minted at San Francisco, leading to the rare and highly valuable 1894-S Barber Dime.
1895: The 1895-O is a key date, with only 440,000 coins produced at the New Orleans Mint.
1896: Low mintage year, with the 1896-O and 1896-S being considered semi-key dates due to their lower mintages.
1897: Philadelphia’s mintage surged to over 10 million, making it a common date for collectors.
1898: Production continued, with 1898-O and 1898-S being more difficult to find in higher grades.
1899: Philadelphia’s mintage reached nearly 20 million dimes, making it a common date. The branch mints produced fewer coins, making their issues more desirable.
1900: Steady production across all mints. The 1900-O is harder to find in higher grades.
1901: Philadelphia’s mintage peaked at over 18 million. The 1901-S is a key date, with only 593,022 coins minted.
1902: High production levels continued, and the 1902-S is more collectible due to its lower mintage.
1903: Production remained consistent. The 1903-S is a semi-key date with a mintage of 613,300 coins.
1904: Production levels remained consistent. The 1904-S has a relatively low mintage of 800,000 coins.
1905: Introduction of the 1905-O Micro O variety, a mintmark anomaly that collectors find intriguing.
1906: First year Denver Mint produced Barber Dimes. Philadelphia continued its strong production.
1907: Philadelphia’s mintage exceeded 22 million, the highest for any year in the series. Branch mints produced fewer coins.
1908: Production decreased at Philadelphia, and the 1908-O is scarcer in higher grades.
1909: The final year of dime production at the New Orleans Mint. The 1909-O and 1909-S are more difficult to find in uncirculated condition.
1910: Production remained high, with the 1910-S being scarcer in higher grades.
1911: High production at Philadelphia and Denver continued. The 1911-S is considered moderately scarce.
1912: Consistent production across all mints. The 1912-S is more difficult to find in higher grades.
1913: The 1913-S is a key date with a mintage of only 510,000 coins.
1914: Production dropped at Philadelphia, with the 1914-S being more scarce compared to other issues.
1915: Philadelphia’s mintage decreased significantly. The 1915-S had a low mintage of 960,000.
1916: The final year of the Barber Dime series, replaced by the Winged Liberty Head (“Mercury”) Dime later that year.
Final Thoughts
The Barber Dime series is a fascinating part of U.S. coinage history, offering collectors a window into the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
With its elegant design by Charles E. Barber, this coin represents a significant era of change, from the end of the Victorian Age to the start of the modern industrial world. The Barber Dime may not always have the same level of recognition as other iconic coins, but its rarity, key dates, and historical context make it a rewarding pursuit for collectors. Whether you’re seeking the rare 1894-S or a more common date, every coin in this series tells a story of American history.
As time goes on, these coins continue to gain in both rarity and desirability, making them a valuable addition to any numismatic collection.
