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Upon hearing of "Barber coinage", a non-collector might conjure up an image of a
barber shop pole stamped on a coin. Actually, the term refers
to the design of the U.S.
Dime, Quarter, and
Half Dollar, created by Mint
Engraver Charles Barber and produced from 1892 to 1916.
Mint Director
James Kimball expressed dismay with the
Seated Liberty theme in his 1887
report, in rather strong words:
The inferiority
of our coinage to the same kind of work by almost every other advanced
nation of the earth... seems to be perceived by all who have given
attention...as unworthy of the development which the arts of sculpture and
design have here attained...
After a failed attempt to secure a new U.S. coinage design through a
public competition, the job eventually landed on Barber's desk. Some
scholars conclude Barber had a hand in sabotaging the competition, for as a
the only government official on the three man judge panel, he certainly was
in a position to do so, and made no secret that wanted the honor.
At
about the time Barber began conceptualizing his coinage, improved
manufacturing techniques were brought to the Mint, which made it possible to
include smaller, more precise elements in coin making. Barber utilized
the updated technology to load up the reverse of the quarter and half dollar
with many complex details. Some criticized the "busy" layout of
Barber's design.
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Barber Quarter
Specifications |
Diameter: |
Weight: |
Minted: |
Composition: |
Designer |
Edge: |
24.3 mm |
6.25 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 new coins became a presence in everyday life,
during an era of great transition for the nation. During this time,
the United States took a place on the world stage as a major military power
and industrial giant. Barber coinage continued until 1916, when
ironically, it fell victim to same complaints that led to its origin.
There are three clear-cut Barber Quarter key dates. None of the others
rank even close to the importance of these three. We have seen
dramatic value increases recently, but collectors should never worry about
suffering serious setbacks with these rarities, if held for more than a few
years. They are:
Key date Barber Quarters are offered for sale below
through eBay coin auctions. The left
hand side of each "Sales Box" is value trend data over a long period of
time for a coin of that date in Good-4 condition. The percent annual
increase since 1950 is computed for comparative purposes. To protect
your investment, DO NOT buy any Barber Quarter key dates, or any rarity for
that matter, unless they've been certified by PCGS, NGC, ICG, or ANACS, or
from a reputable dealer, such as
Jakes Marketplace. The coin pictured for
sale in the right hand side, if any, is not necessarily the same condition coin or
same variety as that
represented in the value trend analysis on left hand side.
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1896-S
Barber Quarter
Condition: G-4
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1901-S
Barber Quarter
Condition: G-4
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Value Trends
1950: $7.00
1980: $175
1995: $225
2002: $500
2007: $750
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Value Trends
1950: $35.00
1980: $650
1995: $1350
2002: $3000
2007: $6000
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% Annual Increase
Since 1950 =
8.55%
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% Annual Increase
Since 1950 =
9.44%
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1913-S
Barber Quarter
Condition: G-4
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Value Trends
1950:
$7.50
1980: $225
1995: $375
2002: $750
2007: $1250
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% Annual Increase
Since 1950 =
9.36%
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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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A uniquely American musical genre called
ragtime enjoyed its greatest popularity during the period of Barber coinage
production. The distinctive syncopated melody of ragtime filled music
parlors and dance halls in those years. Scott Joplin (inset above) is
recognized as the "King of Ragtime" for his important contributions to
classic ragtime. You may listen to two of Joplin's greatest ragtime
hits by clicking
here. |
