Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Artist Kenyon Cox, one of the invited artists to the 1891 competition, stated, "I think it disgraceful that this great country should have such a coin as this. Contours giving the leaf depth remain. According to Nancy Oliver and Richard Kelly in their 2011 article for The Numismatist, the San Francisco Mint in June 1894 needed to coin $2.40 in silver left over from the melting of worn-out coins, just enough to coin 24 dimes. [57][58] Redesign of the smaller gold pieces, Lincoln cent, and Buffalo nickel followed between 1908 and 1913. The mintmark "S", which is located just above the rim, near the bow, confirms that the coin was struck at San Francisco. His obv[erse] was a mirror image of the Morgan dollar head, with much of Miss Anna Willess Williams'[b] back hair cropped off, the rest concealed within a disproportionately large cap. Followed by a number of San Francisco mint dates. The silver melt value for this coin is $1.81 as of April 30, 2023. Only slight flattening of the raised parts of the loops and trailing ribbon ends has occurred. 1945 Mercury Dime Value (Rare Errors, "D", "S" & No Mint Marks) Barber coinage - Wikipedia Liberty's cheek and the top portion of her cap display smoothness and a slight flatness to their once raised profile. How much silver is in a Barber dime? CoinTrackers.com has estimated the 1898 Liberty Head V Nickel value at an average of $4.50, one in certified mint state (MS+) could be worth $200. Finally, large quantities of lower grade Barber coins were melted for bullion when silver prices rose in 1979 and early 1980. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591, Date by DateIn Depth Barber Dime Values1892 to 1916. Look closely to recognize a remaining "Y" at the very end of the band. All About Dimes - CoinSite [51][59] The production difficulties were eventually ironed out, and at least token quantities of each of the new coins were struck in 1916, putting an end to the Barber coinage series. [10], In 1885, Burchard was succeeded as Mint director by James Kimball. These dimes can be valued at $4.63 if in good condition while one in extremely fine condition may fetch $135. But that looked odd because it was way off-center. between the words QUARTER and DOLLAR). The head of Liberty is dignified, but although the silly story has been started that the profile is that of a 'reigning belle' of New York, she can hardly be called a beauty; there is a suggestion of the classic heads on some of the Roman coins, and a much stronger suggestion of the head on the French Francs of 1871 and onward these coins are an advance on what has hitherto been accomplished, but there is yet a long distance between them and the ideal National coin. As illustrated in the picture below, Barber positioned the mint mark on the reverse of the coin, near the bottom just below the bow in the wreath. Collectors like coins that are in as close to original condition as possible. The same year that the Barber dime series was introduced, 1892, the quarter and half dollar coins were also redesigned using the same obverse design as the dime. Walter Breens Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins. All Rights Reserved. [19] Numismatic historian Roger Burdette explained the artistic differences between the two men: It is likely they were so far apart in their artistic understanding that neither listened to what the other had to say Barber was from the English trades-apprentice approach where engraving and die sinking were crafts closely aligned to other metal workers such as machine tool makers. Whitman Publishing, 2021. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Surrounding her bust is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the year the coin was made. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/339 The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The obverse (front) of the Barber dime features the image of Lady Liberty with a Phrygian cap, a laurel wreath, and the word "LIBERTY" inscribed on her headband. Follow the steps to identify variety, date, and comparing your coins to images and descriptions judge condition and grade. In very fine condition the value is around $150 and in extremely fine condition the value is around $200. [a] Leech rejected the design, and Barber submitted a revised obverse in mid-September with a head of Liberty similar to that on the adopted coin. Eventually, they all settled on the area above the gap between the "R" and the "D" (i.e. Instead of a design based on French coinage, it depicted a standing figure of Columbia, bearing a pileus (a crown fashioned from an olive branch) atop a liberty pole; an eagle spreading its wings stands behind her. The Mint had claimed authority under the Coinage Act of 1873 in issuing the Morgan dollar in 1878 and the Liberty Head nickel in 1883. In 1792, the first United States Coinage Act was passed by Congress, which allowed for the production of coinage. Discover how much your old dimes are worth. To illustrate this, an 1892 Barber Dime in good condition may be worth less than $5.00 while an 1895-O Barber Dime may trade for over $1600 in extremely fine condition. [13], On October 16, 1890, a new Mint director, Edward O. Leech, took office. [49] The rarest half dollar is the 1892-O "Micro O", in which the mint mark "O" for New Orleans was impressed on the half dollar die with a puncheon intended for the quarter; other key dates are the regular 1892-O, 1892-S, 1893-S, 1897-O, 1897-S, 1913, 1914, and 1915. Checking the date and then the mintmark confirms its place on the value chart. I was surprised to learn about all the different mintmark placements on these coins. These coins were designed by United States Mint chief engraver Charles Barber and the dimes were minted from 1892 to 1916. Rim is complete and bow at the bottom is well defined with loops, knot, and trialing ribbons separate. This placed the mintmark directly over the final "R" in QUARTER. Woolley advocated the replacement of the silver coins when it was legal to do so, and instructed Barber and Morgan to prepare new designs. The Commission rejected the Barber and Morgan designs and proposed Adolph Weinman, Hermon MacNeil, and Albin Polasek as designers. Bust, Seated Liberty, to Barber, Mercury, and Roosevelt Dimes. 1916 Barber & Mercury Dime Value (Rare Errors, "D", "S" & No Mint Marks) Fine strands of hair are part of the design, these are intact on a mint state coin. Checking these numbers against the chart identifies dates, mints, and condition of coins with ample quantities to satisfy bullion demand. [20], Leech announced the decision to have Barber do the work in July, stating that he had instructed the engraver to prepare designs for presentation to Secretary of the Treasury Charles Foster. ): USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1907 Barber Dime is Worth $11 in Average Condition and can be Worth $152 to $233 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: A defined wreath remains on the reverse of a Fine grade Barber dime. The iconic image of Lady Liberty was inspired by French coins and medals with the influence of Greco-Roman sculpture. Precisely 5,820,000 Barber dimes were struck in San Francisco in 1916. All Market Updates are provided as a third party analysis and do not necessarily reflect the explicit views of JM Bullion Inc. and should not be construed as financial advice. The 1892-S is one of the rarest and most renowned coins in numismatics. [13][45], The 1894-S Barber dime is one of the great numismatic rarities, with a published mintage of 24 proof pieces. . [46] Breen, on the other hand, related that San Francisco Mint Superintendent John Daggett had the dimes struck for a group of banker friends, giving three to each. Year: 1899. The more details that can be seen on the coin mean the coin will be more valuable. They brought along classic Greek and Roman coins in an attempt to persuade Burchard that the coinage could easily be made more beautiful. Although Barber had warned the director that reputable artists would likely not enter a contest in which only the winner received compensation, Leech offered a $500 prize to the winner, and no payments to anyone else. - Last updated: June, 10 2022. Zyrus Press, 2009. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In circulated condition, any Mercury dime sells for about a dollar over its silver value, or about $3. 1913 Year Barber US Dimes (1892-1916), Philadelphia U.S. Mint Certified US Liberty Nickels (1883-1913), Philadelphia Barber US Dimes (1892-1916), Silver Barber Dimes . Excellent writeup and fantastic images, Sunnywood. Copyright 2007-2023 Daniel A. HarrisAll Rights Reserved, https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591. Any wear shows a change in color - a dulling - to the metal. Most dates in the Barber coin series are not difficult to obtain, but the 1894 dime struck at the San Francisco Mint (1894-S), with a mintage of 24, is a great rarity. [22], Barber's first attempt, modeled for the half dollar, disregarded Leech's instructions. Barber Dime (1892-1916) Value | JM Bullion For much of the second half of the 19th century, most U.S. silver coins bore a design of a seated Liberty. Barber dimes were minted at all four of the minting facilities in operation at the time: San Francisco, Denver, New Orleans, and Philadelphia. Enter your email address and we will send you a link to reset your password. Proof Coins can be Worth $278 or more. Type I quarters are rarer for each mint. Who knows what happened to the other 15 rare dimes, maybe more ice cream? Mint Mark: No mint mark. The new director was more receptive to Gilder's ideas and in 1887 announced a competition for new designs for the non-gold coinage. [24][25] Leech replied, stating that he did not care how much effort was expended in order to improve the design, especially since, once issued, they would have to be used for 25 years. 1913 Dime: The Ultimate Collector's Guide - Coins and Bills 1903 Barber Dime Coin Pricing Guide | The Greysheet The Morgan dollar had not then been struck since 1904. Flatness is beginning to smooth the upper parts of the leaf next to the "O". New York: Doubleday, 1988. Ambio, Jeff. Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A large amount of fine detail is part of the wreath on the reverse. Recognizing what sets a collector quality piece apart gives an insight into higher end Barber dime value. Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of US and Colonial Coins. Interestingly, their prices are far higher nowadays than their face value, despite the high number of minting coins. Among Barbers other credits are various pattern coins including the 1879 and 1880 $4 Flowing Hair Stellas as well as medals. The reason is that these ten-cent coins are 110 years old. [59], Woolley had hoped to begin production of the new coins on July 1, 1916. Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Mint State grade is an important condition to recognize. Barber coins, more formally known as Liberty Head coins, were made at the Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco Mints, with the latter three stamping their respective D, O, and S mint marks on their coinage. Production of dimes started immediately striking 4 million dated 1906. While prices can and do fluctuate, these silver coins may see increasing price appreciation in the coming years as the coins age. Barber dime values can vary significantly based on their mint year and mint location as well as their overall condition. Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: A small amount of wear is just beginning to flatten high areas of the design. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Leech got feedback from friends and from Secretary Foster; on September 28, he wrote Barber that Liberty's lips were "rather voluptuous" and directed him to prepare a reverse without the wreath. Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 18:46, silver prices rose in 1979 and early 1980, American Numismatic and Antiquarian Society, "Circulated Barber Half Dollars A Look Back at Two Decades of Specialization", "Mercury Dimes > Ch 1 > History of the Mercury Dime Series", "Barber's silver coinage: fun series to collect", CoinCommunity.com - US Barber Coinage Information, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Barber_coinage&oldid=1139557364, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 18:46. The coins were struck under special direction from the Mint superintendent, J. Daggett, for a group of his banker friends. As the price of silver rose over the decades, the mint was forced to shrink the size of the dimes from a diameter of 19 mm to their current size of 17.9 mm. Charles E. Barber was born in London in 1840. Because only 510,000 Barber dimes were minted in San Francisco in 1913, these represent the peak variation for the series and come with an extremely nifty value spike if you find a precious "S" mint mark. In 1915, Mint officials began plans to replace them once the design's minimum term expired in 1916. Tthe Carson City Seated Liberty dimes struck from 1871 through 1874 are exceedingly rare. Barber had designed a great many coins during his nearly 40 years as the chief engraver of the United States Mint. 1911 Barber Dime Value | CoinTrackers When Edward O. Leech became director of the U.S. Mint, he called the contest too wretched a failure ever to be tried again. [34], Barber's head of Liberty is purely classical, and is rendered in the Roman style. Converting grams to troy ounces - a Barber dime contains .072 ounces of pure silver. [12] He received a reply that due to other work, the Mint would not be able to address the question until the spring of 1891. One of the approximately nine known dimes was retrieved from circulation in 1957, and Breen speculated this may have been the ice cream specimen. The bird holds in its mouth a scroll inscribed "E Pluribus Unum" and in its right claws an olive branch; in its left it holds 13 arrows. great post sunnywood and a lot better than the BCCS black and white pictures. Because a coins condition can have such a drastic effect on its value, you will want to closely examine your coin. Barber or Liberty Head Dime: on the Bottom of the reverse just below the ribbon of the Laurel wreath. Yeoman, R.S. If you have a Barber Dime that appears to be in good condition and is from a sought-after mint year, you may want to consider sending it in to a professional coin grading service such as PCGS or NGC. Used coins are affordable and are typically worth $4 to $100. The Mint issued Barber dimes and quarters in 1916 to meet commercial demand, but before the end of the year, the Mercury dime, Standing Liberty quarter, and Walking Liberty half dollar had begun production. Details defining the inner parts of leaves remain on those leaves just below the "D" and "E". 1901 Dime | Learn the Value of This Silver Coin Sometime in the early 1880s, he, along with one of his reporters and sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens visited Mint Director Burchard to argue for the creation of new designs. During its short life, the Barber Silver Dime was struck at the U.S. Mints in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Which is the most effective way to prevent viral foodborne illnesses? The 1905-O Micro O mint mark Barber dime. Type: Barber Dime. The new coin had its denomination designated by a Roman numeral "V" on the reverse; the three-cent coin had always had a "III" to designate its denomination. Headband featuring letters of "Liberty" inscribed is full across the hair. Mint Marks The United States Mint produced Barber Dimes at four different mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O), Denver (D) and San Francisco (S). His grandfather, John Barber, led the family to America in the early 1850s. [14] Mason sent Leech the recommendations on April 3, 1891; the following day, the Mint director announced the competition, open to the public, but he specifically invited the ten artists named by Mason to participate.