Coin Collecting a Guide for Beginners Header

Barber Dime

The Liberty Head Dime is also referred to as the Barber Dime. It is a US dime piece that was produced from 1892 to 1916.

It gets its nickname from its designer, Charles E. Barber who was the chief engraver of the United States Mint from 1879 to 1917.

A quarter dollar and half dollar also have the same Barber design.

This dime piece design depicts Liberty's head. She is wearing a cap that is held in place by a laurel wreath and a ribbon inscribed with the word LIBERTY.

Around Liberty's head we see UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and below her head is the date.

The reverse of the dime piece has the words ONE DIME surrounded by a wreath which is almost identical to the reverse of the Seated Liberty Dime that was produced just before it.

The Barber Dime series only has one really rare coin. It is the 1894-S.

Only 24 of these US dime pieces were made, and only 9 are known to exist today.

As you can imagine, these are extremely valuable coins and out of reach of most collectors, unless you happen to be a millionaire.

One of these coins was sold at auction in July 2007 for $1.9 million.

(click image for larger view)
Liberty Head Dime
a.k.a. Barber Dime

Type	Barber Dime or Liberty Head Dime
Designer	Charles E. Barber
Years Minted	1892-1916
Weight	2.50 grams
Composition	90% silver, 10% copper (net weight: .07234 oz. pure silver)
Diameter	17.9 mm
Edge	reeded
Mints	Philadelphia - *no mint mark* Denver - D New Orleans - O San Francisco - S

Mintage	Philadelphia	Denver	New Orleans	San Francisco
1892	12,120,000	D - 0	O - 3,841,700	S - 990,710
1893	3,339,940	D - 0	O - 1,760,000	S - 2,491,401
1894	1,330,000	D - 0	O - 720,000	S - 24
1895	690,000	D - 0	O - 440,000	S - 1,120,000
1896	2,000,000	D - 0	O - 610,000	S - 575,056
1897	10,868,533	D - 0	O - 666,000	S - 1,342,844
1898	16,320,000	D - 0	O - 2,130,000	S - 1,702,507
1899	19,590,000	D - 0	O - 2,650,000	S - 1,867,493
1900	17,600,000	D - 0	O - 2,010,000	S - 5,168,270
1901	18,859,665	D - 0	O - 5,620,000	S - 593,022
1902	21,380,000	D - 0	O - 4,500,000	S - 2,070,000
1903	19,500,000	D - 0	O - 8,180,000	S - 613,300
1904	14,600,357	D - 0	O - 0	S - 800,000
1905	14,551,623	D - 0	O - 3,400,000	S - 6,855,199
1906	19,957,731	D - 4,060,000	O - 2,610,000	S - 3,136,640
1907	22,220,000	D - 4,080,000	O - 5,058,000	S - 3,178,470
1908	10,600,000	D - 7,490,000	O - 1,789,000	S - 3,220,000
1909	10,240,000	D - 954,000	O - 2,287,000	S - 1,000,000
1910	11,520,000	D - 3,490,000	O - 0	S - 1,240,000
1911	18,870,000	D - 11,209,000	O - 0	S - 3,520,000
1912	19,349,300	D - 11,760,000	O - 0	S - 3,420,000
1913	19,760,000	D - 0	O - 0	S - 510,000
1914	17,360,230	D - 11,908,000	O - 0	S - 2,100,000
1915	5,620,000	D - 0	O - 0	S - 960,000
1916	18,490,000	D - 0	O - 0	S - 5,820,000

For some great deals on Coins and Coin Supplies visit my friends at Jake's Marketplace, Inc. They have a very comprehensive selection to choose from and give great discounts!