Charles Barber of the U.S. mint designed several national coins in the late 1800s during his time as chief engraver. His designs replaced the iconic Seated Liberty design imprinted on various currency of the time, including quarters, half-dollars and the dime. The 1894 mint of the Barber dime is perhaps most notable due to the economic climate of the United States at the time, and it makes this coin one of the most popular items among numismatic collectors and history aficionados alike. The 1894-O Barber dime is steeped in history and is relatively scarce, making it highly sought after and a must have for anyone serious about coin collecting. The 1894-O Barber dime is a very rare coin, with only 720,000 having been minted. It weighs 2.5 grams and has a composition of 90% silver, 10% copper. The 1894-O Barber dime is so rare because shortly before its mintage, a financial panic caused the United States to come under hard times and greatly reduce the minting of new coins. The New Orleans mint struck less than half the number of dimes in 1894 as it had in the previous year. Most 1894-O Barber dimes are very well struck, most likely due to the low mintage. This coin has a very low relief, which helped to ensure that each of the 720,000 coins produced would be sharply struck. Like many U.S. coins of this era, the Barber dime features the iconic image of Lady Liberty. The Liberty head is depicted on the obverse and a wreath circling the words “One Dime” on the reverse. The mint mark appears on the reverse under the wreath, indicating its New Orleans mintage with a small letter O. The value of the Barber dime at the time of mint was 10 cents, but with so few having been made, the 1894-O dime is rare enough now to demand a much higher value. Mint year and the condition of the coin can impact the dollar value of these unique coins, with values ranging quite a bit. Very rare coins in mint condition can often claim a value much higher than their original worth in cents. Multiple characteristics go into the grading of a coin to determine its condition, such as preservation, luster, color, and attractiveness. These factors will all have an effect on the dollar value the coin can be sold for. General grades are mint, about uncirculated, fine, and good. Coins in the best condition (mint) are usually priced the highest, and value typically falls as coins move down the grade scale. The 1984 Barber dime is rare and beautiful and will make a wonderful addition to any collector’s showcase. The Barber will stand out on its own even among collections of gold coins, silver dollars, or paper money.
Product Identifiers
Designer
Charles E. Barber
eBay Product ID (ePID)
170442933
Product Key Features
Strike Type
Business
Mint Location
New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
Composition
90% Silver, 10% Copper
Year
1894
Dimensions
Weight
2.5g
Additional Product Features
Mintage
72
EDGE
Reeded
Mint
New Orleans
Denomination
10C
PCGS Number
4804
Diameter
17.9mm
Mint Mark
O
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