1894-S Barber Dime

1894 | San Francisco | Mintage: 720,000 | 90% Silver, 10% Copper

$56 – $45,850 Key Date

Obverse

Reverse

The 1894-S Barber Dime was minted at the San Francisco Mint with a mintage of 720,000. Values range from $56 in lower grades to $45,850 in top condition. This is a key date, making it especially sought-after by collectors.

CoinValueDB Value Estimate

$0.15 – $45,850

Price History

SoldHigh BidFor SaleLast Asking PriceMoving Average

Avg: $5,121 High: $45,850 Low: $0.15 11 total data points

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade
Grade	Value
Good (G-4)	$56
Very Good (VG-8)	$72
Fine (F-12)	$135
Very Fine (VF-20)	$235
Extremely Fine (EF-40)	$500
About Uncirculated (AU-50)	$780
Mint State (MS-60)	$1,375
Choice Mint State (MS-63)	$1,900
Gem Mint State (MS-65)	$5,425
Superb Gem+ (MS-67)	$45,850

About the Barber Dime

The Barber Dime series launched in 1892 to replace the Seated Liberty design. Mint Director Edward Leech ordered the change because the Seated Liberty coins had been in circulation for over 50 years. He chose Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber to design the new coinage. Barber based his work on the French coinage of the era, featuring a profile of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap and a laurel wreath. The series ran until 1916. Barber dimes were minted at Philadelphia, Denver, New Orleans, and San Francisco. The design remained consistent throughout the run, though the placement of mint marks changed. The Mint replaced the Barber design with the Winged Liberty Head, or Mercury, dime in 1916 because the public complained the Barber design lacked artistic merit.

Coin Details

Designer: Charles E. Barber
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 2.50g
Diameter: 17.9mm
Edge: reeded
Series: Barber Dime (1892-1916)

Historical Notes

The 1894-S is one of the most famous and valuable coins in American numismatics. With a mintage of only 720,000, this is the key date of the Barber Dime series.

Collecting Barber Dime Coins

Focus on building a set of common date coins in Good to Very Good condition before chasing rarities. The 1892 through 1900 Philadelphia issues are plentiful and cost less than $10 in lower grades. Watch for heavy wear on the date, as these coins circulated for decades. Barber dimes are prone to weak strikes on the head of Liberty, so do not mistake a flat strike for excessive wear. Beware of altered mint marks on key dates like the 1894-S or 1895-O, and always buy high-value specimens with a certification from a reputable grading service.

This series includes key dates — check individual coin pages for rarity details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 1894-S Barber Dime worth? +

A 1894-S Barber Dime is worth between $56 and $45,850 depending on condition. Coins in higher grades (MS-65 and above) command significant premiums.

How many 1894 Barber Dime coins were made? +

The San Francisco Mint produced 720,000 1894 Barber Dime coins. Lower mintage numbers generally correlate with higher collector value.

Is the 1894-S Barber Dime a key date? +

Yes, the 1894-S Barber Dime is considered a key date in the Barber Dime series. Key dates are coins with low mintage, high collector demand, or both, making them among the most valuable in the series.

Is the 1894-S Barber Dime rare? +

Yes, the 1894-S is the rarest business-strike coin in the entire Barber Dime series. With a mintage of only 720,000, it is significantly scarcer than most other dates in the 1892-1916 production run.

How much is an 1894-S Barber Dime worth? +

Value depends entirely on the coin's condition and authentication. Because of its status as a key date, even specimens in lower grades command high prices at auction.