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After 55 years of production, the Seated
Liberty motif was finally retired in 1891. Considerable debate led up to
the introduction of Barber coinage in 1892. Designed by Mint Engraver
Charles Barber, the same obverse appeared on the Dime,
Quarter, and
Half Dollar.
The first Barber Dimes were minted on January 2, 1892.
The rarest date for
Barber Dimes by far is the
1894-S. Most collectors can forget
about obtaining the 1894-S, as it is one of the greatest rarities in all of
American numismatics. According to Hallie Daggett, daughter of former San
Francisco Mint superintendent John Daggett, her father arranged to have 24
specially struck "S" dimes in 1894, presenting 21 of them to banker friends. Hallie received the other three 1894-S dimes, spending one of them for ice
cream on her way home from the Mint. It wasn't until 1954, when Hallie
sold her two remaining 1894-S dimes, that she confirmed the origin of the
legendary dimes. Only nine of the original 24 are accounted for today.
The coin was last sold in July 2007 for $1.90 million. The exact same coin
brought $1.32 million in 2005.
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Barber Dime
Specifications |
Diameter: |
Weight: |
Minted: |
Composition: |
Designer |
Edge: |
17.9 mm |
2.50 g |
1892-1916 |
.100 Cu .900
Ag |
Charles Barber |
Reeded |
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Coin Photos courtesy of
Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA. |
The next most
valuable Barber Dime is the 1895-O. Disregarding the 1894-S, it is
considered THE key date of the Barber dime series. The 1895-O doesn't
have the stellar performance of key dates belonging to more popular coins
(e.g. Lincoln cents), but any Barber dime enthusiast will have to have it to
round out a collection. The 1895-O always has been and always will be
tough to find.
A collector with an eye toward the future cannot go wrong by purchasing an
1895-O Barber Dime. There are many alterations and counterfeits around,
so for sure don't buy it through eBay coin auctions unless its been certified by PCGS,
NGC, ICG, or ANACS. The key date 1895-O Barber dime is offered for sale
below:
The "View All" link in the lower right hand side of the
"Sales Box" will bring up all the 1895-O Barber Dimes, if any, available
right now on eBay coin auctions. The left
hand side of the box illustrates value trend data over a very long period of
time for the 1895-O in G-4 condition. The percent annual
increase is computed for comparative purposes. The coin pictured for
sale in the right hand side, if any, is not necessarily an example in G-4 condition.
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1895-O
Barber Dime
Condition: G-4
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Value Trends
1950: $12.50
1980: $125
1995: $175
2003: $250
2007: $400
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% Annual Increase
Since 1950 =
6.27%
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Half Cents
1793-1857 |
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Large Cents
1793-1857 |
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Flying Eagle Cents
1856-1858 |
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Indian Head Cents
1859-1909 |
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Lincoln Cents
1909-present |
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Two and Three
Cents 1851-1889 |
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Shield Nickels
1866-1883 |
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Liberty Nickels
1883-1913 |
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Buffalo Nickels
1913-1938 |
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Jefferson Nickels 1938-present |
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Early Half Dimes
1792-1837 |
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Seated Liberty Half Dimes 1837-1873 |
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Early Dimes
1796-1837 |
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Seated Liberty Dimes 1837-1891 |
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Barber Dimes
1892-1916 |
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Mercury Dimes
1916-1945 |
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Roosevelt Dimes 1946-present |
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Twenty Cents
1875-1878 |
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Early Quarters
1796-1838 |
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Seated Liberty Quarters 1838-1891 |
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Barber Quarters
1892-1916 |
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Standing Liberty
Quarters 1916-1930 |
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Washington
Quarters 1932-present |
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Early Half Dollars
1794-1839 |
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Seated Liberty
Half Dollars 1839-1891 |
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Barber Half
Dollars 1892-1915 |
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Walking Liberty
Half Dollars 1916-1947 |
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Franklin Half
Dollars 1948-1963 |
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Kennedy Half Dollars 1964-Present |
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Early Dollars
1794-1804 |
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Gobrecht Dollars 1836-1839 |
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Seated Liberty Dollars 1840-1873 |
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Trade Dollars
1873-1885 |
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Morgan Dollars
1878-1921 |
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Peace Dollars
1921-1935 |
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Eisenhower Dollars
1971-1978 |
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Anthony Dollars
1979-1981,1999 |
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Sacagawea Dollars
2000-present |
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Presidential Dollars
2007-present |
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Gold Dollars
1849-1889 |
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Early Quarter Eagles 1796-1834 |
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Classic Head Quarter Eagles 1834-1839 |
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Coronet Quarter
Eagles 1840-1907 |
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Indian Head
Quarter Eagles 1908-1929 |
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Three Dollar Gold
1854-1889 |
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Early Half Eagles
1795-1834 |
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Classic Head Half Eagles 1834-1838 |
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Coronet Half
Eagles 1839-1908 |
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Indian Head Half
Eagles 1908-1929 |
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Early Eagles
1795-1804 |
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Coronet Eagles
1838-1907 |
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Indian Head Eagles
1907-1933 |
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Coronet Double
Eagles 1849-1907 |
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St-Gaudens Double
Eagles 1907-1933 |
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The Ellis Island immigration center opened on
January 1, 1892. More than 12 million people entered the U.S. through
Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954. People from around the world left their
mother countries to become American citizens, in search of a better life.
After the boats docked, immigrants would disembark and walk into the
Registry Room where doctors examined them for medical problems and officers
reviewed their legal documents. The day after Ellis Island welcomed its
first immigrants, the Barber Dime was released into circulation.
Image courtesy of
Library of Congress. |
