The Barber Dime

The Barber Dime, also known as the Liberty Head Dime, is a coin that was minted in the United States from 1892 to 1916. It was designed by Charles E. Barber, who was the Chief Engraver at the United States Mint at the time.

The Barber Dime was part of a series of coins known as the "Barber coinage," which also included the Barber Quarter and Barber Half Dollar. These coins were designed to replace the Seated Liberty coinage that had been in circulation since the 1830s.

The obverse (front) of the Barber Dime features the head of Liberty facing right, wearing a Phrygian cap with the word "LIBERTY" inscribed above. The date of issue is located below the head of Liberty. The reverse (back) of the coin features a wreath encircling the denomination "ONE DIME" and the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

The Barber Dime was minted in Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and, for a brief period, in Denver. The mint marks indicating the location of minting can be found on the reverse of the coin, below the wreath. The mint marks include "O" for New Orleans, "S" for San Francisco, and "D" for Denver.

During its production run, the Barber Dime went through several design modifications. The most notable changes occurred in 1892 and 1916. In 1892, the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" were added to the reverse of the coin above the wreath. In 1916, the design was replaced with the Mercury Dime, which featured a depiction of Liberty wearing a winged cap.

The Barber Dime is considered a popular coin among collectors due to its historical significance and attractive design. However, its value can vary depending on factors such as condition, rarity, and mint mark. Some Barber Dimes, particularly those with low mintages or in exceptional condition, can be quite valuable to collectors.

Key Dates

The Barber Dime series includes several key dates that are sought after by collectors due to their rarity and historical significance. Here are some of the key dates and mintages for Barber Dimes:

1894-S Barber Dime: This is considered the key date of the series and is extremely rare. Only 24 specimens are believed to exist, making it highly valuable.

1895-O Barber Dime: The New Orleans mint produced only 440,000 dimes in 1895, making it one of the scarcer dates in the series.\

1896-S Barber Dime: With a mintage of only 575,056 dimes, the 1896-S is another low-mintage date that is difficult to find in higher grades.

1901-S Barber Dime: The San Francisco mint struck just 593,022 dimes in 1901, making it a scarce date in the series.

1903-S Barber Dime: This date has a mintage of 613,300 dimes and is considered relatively scarce, particularly in higher grades.

1904-S Barber Dime: With a mintage of 800,000 dimes, the 1904-S is another low-mintage date that is highly sought after by collectors.

1913-S Barber Dime: This is the final year of the Barber Dime series, and the San Francisco mint produced just 510,000 dimes, making it one of the scarcer dates in the series.

These key dates are generally more valuable than other dates in the series, especially when found in higher grades. However, it's important to note that the condition, rarity, and demand for a specific coin can greatly influence its value.