1894-S Barber Dime
Encyclopedia
The 1894-S Barber Dime is a dime
produced in the United States Barber coinage
. It has been compared to the 1804 Silver Dollar
and the 1913 Liberty Nickel. It is one of the most highly prized United States coins for collectors
. One was sold in 2005 for 1.3 million dollars. Another was sold in 2007 for 1.9 million dollars. Only 24 were minted and of those only nine are known to survive.
of the Barber series
dimes were minted in San Francisco, which is where the 'S' in the common name of the coin comes from. Very little is known as fact about the dimes. The superintendent of the San Francisco Mint
is said to have had them minted as gifts for some important bankers. Further, three of the dimes were said to have been given to the superintendent's daughter who allegedly spent one on ice cream and sold the other two in the 1950s.
In an attempt to consolidate all known facts about the 1894-S Dime, Kevin Flynn
, a well-known numismatist author, wrote a book in 2005 titled "The 1894-S Dime A Mystery Unraveled."
Dime
Dime may refer to:Currency* Dime * Dime Media and entertainment* Dime , by Guardian* "Dime" , by Beth* The Dimes, a musical group* Dime novel, a type of popular fictionSports* Dime...
produced in the United States Barber coinage
United States Barber coinage
Liberty Head designs appeared on United States minor silver coinage from 1892 to 1916. They derive their common name from their designer, Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber.-Origins:...
. It has been compared to the 1804 Silver Dollar
1804 silver dollar
The 1804 Silver Dollar is a United States dollar coin considered to be one of the rarest and most famous coins in the world, due to its unique history. Divided into "Classes," 15 specimens are known. Eight comprise Class I, which were minted in 1834. Two Class I specimens trace their lineage to the...
and the 1913 Liberty Nickel. It is one of the most highly prized United States coins for collectors
Numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects. While numismatists are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, the discipline also includes the broader study of money and other payment media used to resolve debts and the...
. One was sold in 2005 for 1.3 million dollars. Another was sold in 2007 for 1.9 million dollars. Only 24 were minted and of those only nine are known to survive.
History of the 1894-S Dime
In the first half of 1894, 24 proofsProof coinage
Proof coinage means special early samples of a coin issue, historically made for checking the dies and for archival purposes, but nowadays often struck in greater numbers specially for coin collectors . Many countries now issue them....
of the Barber series
United States Barber coinage
Liberty Head designs appeared on United States minor silver coinage from 1892 to 1916. They derive their common name from their designer, Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber.-Origins:...
dimes were minted in San Francisco, which is where the 'S' in the common name of the coin comes from. Very little is known as fact about the dimes. The superintendent of the San Francisco Mint
San Francisco Mint
The San Francisco Mint is a branch of the United States Mint, and was opened in 1854 to serve the gold mines of the California Gold Rush. It quickly outgrew its first building and moved into a new one in 1874. This building, the Old United States Mint, also known affectionately as The Granite Lady,...
is said to have had them minted as gifts for some important bankers. Further, three of the dimes were said to have been given to the superintendent's daughter who allegedly spent one on ice cream and sold the other two in the 1950s.
In an attempt to consolidate all known facts about the 1894-S Dime, Kevin Flynn
Kevin Flynn
Kevin Daniel Flynn is a politician in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. He is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Oakville for the Ontario Liberal Party....
, a well-known numismatist author, wrote a book in 2005 titled "The 1894-S Dime A Mystery Unraveled."