[13], On October 16, 1890, a new Mint director, Edward O. Leech, took office. ): We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Following her fathers advice, she sold the other two in 1954 for a large sum of money. PSA | Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The 1894-S rarely appears for sale on the market, and when one does, it sells for well over one million dollars. Evidence of leaves to a wreath are missing. Barber dimes are composed of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. In a letter printed in the New York Tribune, Gilder expressed disappointment that the Mint was planning to generate the new designs in-house, feeling that the Mint, essentially a factory for coins, was ill-equipped to generate artistic coin designs. 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. One reason for this is that the design is so inartistic, and so insignificant. Mint Mark: No mint mark. Mints and Their Mintmark of the Barber Dime Series After confirming the date from the obverse of the coin, mintmarks are located on the reverse. [53], According to Burdette, "agitation to replace Barber's banal 1892 Liberty head began almost before the first coins were cold from the press. Collectors.com | Using mint year 1909 as an example, the Barber Dime you want to find is the 1909-S minted in San Francisco. These can be picked up for around $50 each in Good condition. Uncirculated Liberty Head Nickel Tele-Trade Mint Marks Three different mints produced the Liberty Head nickel: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D) and San Francisco (S). Walter Breens Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins. Discover how much your box of old coins is worth. CU | Tthe Carson City Seated Liberty dimes struck from 1871 through 1874 are exceedingly rare. Richie, wow, I just looked at all of the listings for 1897-S quarters in the Heritage auction archives. Barber Silver Dime Mint Mark 3 Coin Set (US-580) | eBay Only twenty-four of these were minted, and, as it stands today, only nine are known to exist. The Commission rejected the Barber and Morgan designs and proposed Adolph Weinman, Hermon MacNeil, and Albin Polasek as designers. The early years of 1894 and 1895 are premium coins in all grades due to low mintages. It does not store any personal data. Computed from dealer's price lists with various mark-up factors figured in. Identify your coin with the image index and text links to coin series, from Cents to Gold. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. He took the precaution of obtaining recommendations from Barber as to suitable outside artists who might participate in a competition. Those that spent decades in circulation with visible signs of wear typically cost $4 to $100, depending . By the late 1880s, there were increasing calls for the replacement of the Seated Liberty design, used since the 1830s on most denominations of silver coins. The 1894 S silver Barber Dime is one of the rarest and most valuable US coins ever made. 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. Any fading of the wreath to the rim is minor and confined to one small part. [39] Vermeule argued that "the designs of Barber's coins were more attuned to the times than he perhaps realized. All Rights Reserved. One of the keys to looking for repunched mint marks on coins is to check around the edges and inside loops of the mint marks for any signs of raised metal that wouldn't ordinarily be there. In the early 1890s, the task of designing a new dime, quarter, and half dollar was opened to the public in the form of a contest. Four mints struck these dimes over the years and how to identify each is locating the mintmark on the reverse. Portrait of Liberty is still well defined with most major details defined. 1 Where is the mint mark on a Barber dime? Uncirculated: A 1898 Barber Dime that has been graded as being Uncirculated is one that never exchanged hands on the open market. Barber Half Dollars (1892-1915) Although their circulation was significant, some coins are scarce nowadays. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1913 Barber Dime Liberty Head Silver Philadelphia Mint Estate Collection 2of2 at the best online prices at eBay! 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. But there never yet has been a United States Mint facility whose mint mark is seen as a B. So what is that B on Barber coinage all about? Step 2: Grading Condition - The amount of wear and general appearance of a coin determines its condition and grade. This specimen, a 1938-S Mercury dime graded Mint State-68 FB by Professional Coin Grading Service, took an astounding $364,250. Particular coins being offered for sale may not have been included within particular indexes, and if included, may not have experienced the same market movements as the index as a whole. High points of the design are easily disturbed and show a change in texture to the metal if wear is present. Leech had previously suggested to Barber that he engage outside help if the work was to be done at the Mint; the chief engraver replied that he was aware of no one who could be of help in the preparation of new designs. [40], Leech released the new designs to the press about November 10, 1891. These dimes can be valued at $4.63 if in good condition while one in extremely fine condition may fetch $135. 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. Type: Barber Dime. The mint mark, when present, can be found on the reverse side of the coin below the wreath. The committee met in June 1891 and quickly rejected all entries.[15]. between the words QUARTER and DOLLAR). [22], Barber's first attempt, modeled for the half dollar, disregarded Leech's instructions. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 63 can sell for around $1,050. Nice eye appealing coins are always in demand. But that looked odd because it was way off-center. They also insisted that the same artist create both sides of a given coin, and that more time be given to allow the development of designs. I thought mintmarks were added at Philadelphia and then sent out to the branch mints. Aegis3, yes of course you are correct according to what is generally believed. Each of these Barber Dimes contain . Because a coins condition can have such a drastic effect on its value, you will want to closely examine your coin. The design is poor, commonplace, tasteless, characterless, and the execution is like thereunto. When Edward O. Leech became director of the U.S. Mint, he called the contest too wretched a failure ever to be tried again. 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. 1898 Barber Dime The composition of these coins is 90% silver and 10% copper. President George Washington appointed the renowned scientist David Rittenhouse as the first director of the mint. [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. It is best to have high value dimes professionally graded by one of the services: PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or ICG. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The O mint mark is much smaller than the normal sized mint mark. [29] Vermeule stated that "the initial comment on the new coinage concerned the novelty of a contest, its failure, and the inevitable result that the commission would go, as always, to the Chief Engraver [Barber] and his staff. Professional Coin Grading Services is a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. Get free numismatic news from leading coin experts, in-depth articles, market summary videos, surveys & more! Mintmark location Coins.HA.Com 1883 "No Cents" and "Cents" Type Use the how-to video plus images and descriptions to judge condition. - Last updated: June, 10 2022. These coins were designed by United States Mint chief engraver Charles Barber and the dimes were minted from 1892 to 1916. Composition 0.900 silver and 0.100 copper by weight. They decided to recommend the appointment of Barber, who was subsequently nominated by President Rutherford B. Hayes and in February 1880, was confirmed by the Senate. Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: A small amount of wear is just beginning to flatten high areas of the design. Current Silver Bullion Value: $1.83. Mintage: 19,500,755 Minted at: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark) Designer - Engraver: Charles E Barber Metal Composition: 90% Silver - 10% Copper Diameter: 17.9 mm Mass / Weight: 2.5 grams What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The more details that can be seen on the coin mean the coin will be more valuable. Barber Dime Values & Prices - The Spruce Crafts The director ordered the Chief Engraver at the U.S. Mint, Charles Barber, to prepare the designs. Proof coins were specially made by the mint and have very strong detail in the design, and the surfaces are mirror-like. PCGS | [47] One sold for $1,552,500 at auction in 2007. Start by picking a particular detail on the coin such as the wreath on the Liberty Head. Wear is visible on the bow. 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 . These coins may be valued from $1.96 to $21. [7] In 1876, The Galaxy magazine said of the then current silver coins: Why is it we have the ugliest money of all civilized nations? Barber wrote years later about the competition, "many [entries] were sent in, but Mr. St. Gaudens, [sic] who was appointed one of the committee to pass upon designs, objected to everything submitted". Extremely Fine grade Barber dimes remain crisp and sharp in overall appearance. [13] For the reverse of the dime, on which, by law, an eagle could not appear, a slight modification of the reverse of the Seated Liberty dime was used, with a wreath of foliage and produce surrounding the words "One Dime". Face Value: $0.10. Dealers and collectors have a practiced and keen eye for spotting better condition coins. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Barber Silver Dime Mint Mark 3 Coin Set (US-580) at the best online prices at eBay! There are over 30 listings dating back to 2000 with photographs (although of course some may be duplicates). Realize a Barber dime value increases as the condition improves, often dramatically. Silver dimes, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars are all heavy with 90% silver and worth many times their face value. History Laurel leaves laying over the cap are free of any smoothness towards the tips. Year: 1911. Liberty's cheek and the top portion of her cap display smoothness and a slight flatness to their once raised profile. 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). Saint-Gaudens was uncomfortable with small medals and typically designed life-size or larger figures the 1891 competition turned the two against each other for the rest of their lives. William Barber's skills came to the attention of Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, who hired him as an assistant engraver in 1865; when Longacre died in 1869, William Barber became chief engraver and Charles was hired as an assistant engraver. Due to Gilder's prominence in the coinage redesign movement, Leech felt the need to respond personally, which he did in early August. 7 of 9 are uncirculated and 2 are heavily worn. Greysheet Catalog Details. Diameter: 17.9 mm Mass / Weight: 2.5 grams What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc. Barber had designed a great many coins during his nearly 40 years as the chief engraver of the United States Mint. On December 11, Bosbyshell requested a delay in production to mid-January 1892 to allow the dies to be more thoroughly tested; Leech refused. [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. Morrill was a supporter of coin redesign and had in the past introduced bills to accomplish this; he felt, however, that this could not be done without an act of Congress. These plans were scuttled when Vermont Senator Justin Morrill questioned the Mint's authority to produce new designs. A 1913-S Barber dime in merely Good (G-4) condition prices out around $36.00 and the value curve is exponential from there. A mint mark of S, D, or O will appear below the wreath unless the coin was minted in Philadelphia; in this case, there will be no mint mark present. Among Barbers other credits are various pattern coins including the 1879 and 1880 $4 Flowing Hair Stellas as well as medals. Examples Of Repunched Mintmark Error Coins Compared To Other Types Of These dates command a significant premium over the price of a common date dime. 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. Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins (Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins). Barber complained, in a letter on October 2 to Superintendent Bosbyshell, but intended for Leech, that the constant demands for changes were wasting his time. Visit the in-depth page with close-up images and descriptions covers the process of grading. Precisely 5,820,000 Barber dimes were struck in San Francisco in 1916. The first United States dimes were minted in 1796 in Philadelphia. Without a mintmark below the wreath indicates a Philadelphia mint coin. Where was the Barber dime minted? "[43] Harper's Weekly proclaimed, "The mountain had labored and brought forth a mouse. Barber Dimes-100 Coins-$10.00 Face-90% Silver-p, D, S & O Mint Marks With legislators busy with other matters, it was not until September 26, 1890, that President Benjamin Harrison signed legislation making all denominations of U.S. coins available for immediate redesign by the Mint upon obtaining the Secretary of the Treasury's approval. [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. 1902 Barber Dime Coin Value Prices, Photos & Info - USA Coin Book If your coin is better preserved the value increases sharply in Extremely Fine condition. [19], Frustrated at the competition's outcome, Leech instructed Barber on June 11, 1891, to prepare designs for the half dollar, quarter, and dime. Although wear is smoothing many fine lines, each leaf is separate and defined. Since most of the proposed artists were New York-based, Andrew Mason, superintendent of the New York Assay Office, was given the task of finalizing the list of invitees. Striking of the new coins began the following January. Amid public ridicule of the Mint, production came to a halt until Barber hastily added the word "cents" to the reverse of his design.[4][5][6]. 1903 Barber Dime Coin Value Prices, Photos & Info - USA Coin Book U.S. Mint Silver Barber Dimes (1892-1916), Uncirculated Silver Barber Dime US Coin Errors, Circulated Silver Barber Dime US Coin Errors, 1905-O Barber Dime "O" Mintmark on Reverse: New Orleans Mint Struck the Coin A 1905 New Orleans dime in high condition is a difficult coin to find. A Denver mint dime is noted by the "D" mintmark below the wreath on the reverse. In very fine condition the value is around $150 and in extremely fine condition the value is around $200. Note the similarity of the reverse of this coin to the reverse of the Barber dime. The reverse utilized the heraldic eagle from the Great Seal of the United States, enclosed inside a thick oak wreath, with the required legends surrounding the rim. In 1892, the branch mints tried to align the mintmark with the eagle's central tail feather. Values of "bullion" quality dimes move up and down matching the price of silver and trade in bulk. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Liberty is portrayed wearing a liberty cap and laurel leaves. Fine strands of hair are part of the design, these are intact on a mint state coin. The Barber coinage consists of a dime, quarter, and half dollar designed by United States Bureau of the Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber.