The Barber dime is one of the great coins of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Minted between 1892 and 1916, this was the dime of the Gilded Age and the early Art Deco era, a time of prosperity and change in the United States. Certain years of the Barber dime are especially rare or collectible, and they can be worth thousands or even millions of dollars.
Barber dimes are named after Charles E. Barber, the Chief Engraver of the United States Bureau of the Mint. Barber designed the dime in 1891, along with a quarter and a half dollar.
Most Valuable Barber Dimes
Every Barber dime is made of 90% silver, which means it has inherent melt value for the precious metal. Any Barber dime from any year, even in worn condition, tends to be worth at least four dollars. However, if you have a coin collection, there are some key dates of the Barber dime that can fetch top dollar.
| Barber Dime | Value |
|---|---|
| 1894-S Barber Dime Proof | $1,997,500.00 |
| 1900 Barber Dime Proof | $66,000.00 |
| 1893-S Barber Dime | $63,250.00 |
| 1895-O Barber Dime | $58,755.88 |
| 1895 Barber Dime | $46,000 |
1894-S Barber Dime Proof
One of the most valuable United States coins ever, the 1894-S Barber dime proof is incredibly rare. Some estimates suggest there may have been 24 minted, but only eight or nine of these are known to survive. Those in good condition fetch a lot at auction. One sold in 2016 for $1,997,500.
One of the coolest things about the 1984-S Barber dime is the sweet (probably fanciful) story that goes along with it. In the tale, Hallie Daggett, daughter of San Francisco Mint Superintendent John Daggett, was given three of the dimes by her father, who told her to save them until she was a grown-up because they would be valuable. As Hallie was walking home from the Mint on a very hot day, she saw an ice cream stand and spent one of the dimes for a tasty treat, thereby releasing the coin into circulation.
What makes a Barber dime proof different from a business strike dime? It's all about the quality of the strike and the coin's background. Proofs tend to have shinier surfaces and deeper, crisper strikes. They are the finest-quality coins that the Mint makes.
1900 Barber Dime Proof
Although nowhere near as valuable as the 1984-S Barber dime, the proof of the 1900 coin can be worth thousands. It can be quite valuable, particularly if the dime has a nice cameo or contrast between the design and its background. One example in pristine condition sold for $66,000 in 2020.
1893-S Barber Dime
Sometimes, a business strike of a coin is just as lovely (or even better) than a proof. In the case of the 1893-S Barber dime, the quality of the strike adds to the value of the coin. Already considered a "key date" for collectors, an uncirculated Superb Gem strike of this coin fetches top dollar. One sold for $63,250 in 2007.
1895-O Barber Dime
Because of the limited number of coins minted that year, the 1895-O Barber dime is one of the hardest to find. It's especially tricky for collectors to lay their hands on this New Orleans-minted dime in mint condition since a lot of the surviving dimes were circulated in the South. A mint state example sold for $58,755.88 in 2017.
1895 Barber Dime
Although not quite as rare as the 1895-O dime, the no-mintmark dime struck at Philadelphia the same year is also really rare. Only about 690,000 were struck, making it the hardest to collect of all Barber dimes minted in Philadelphia. A mint state Superb Gem example sold for $46,000 in 2005.
1916 Barber Dime: Not a Rarity
Although the Barber dime was popular, a new Mint Director took office and wanted new dimes struck that did not contain silver. A new coin was supposed to replace the Barber dime in 1916, but the new design wasn't ready for production yet. 1916 saw more than 18 million Barber dimes enter circulation.
Check Your Collection for Rare Barber Dimes
If you have some Barber dimes in your coin collection, look for years that are harder to find, such as 1893, 1894, and 1895. After that, keep an eye out for anything in good condition, especially if it hasn't seen circulation. These dimes are fun to collect and offer a fascinating glimpse into life at the turn of the 19th century.
