A seemingly ordinary dime might be hiding a fortune. While most dimes carry a value of only 10 cents, an 1894-S Barber Dime could sell for over $1 million at auction.
According to Stack’s Bowers, this coin, minted in San Francisco in 1894, is estimated to be worth $1.5 million. Its value is greatly enhanced by its rarity and historical significance.
This particular dime originates from the Barber series, named after its designer, Charles E. Barber. Production commenced in the 1890s. Although many Barber dimes have sold for hundreds of dollars, those minted in San Francisco in 1894 are exceptionally rare. Only nine examples are known to survive. Originally, only 24 were minted. After testing, which removed three, only 21 remained. The fate of 12 of these coins is unknown.
“Records show only 24 were made in the Bay Area. Three were assayed, meaning just 21 survived.”
A previous sale saw one of these dimes fetching $2.16 million, breaking its prior sale price of nearly $1.998 million in 2016. Another Barber dime sold for $1.5 million in 2020, having been auctioned earlier in 2005 for $1.035 million.
The auction, hosted by Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Rarities Night, begins online on September 1. The opening bid is set at $1 million.
Few other dimes have reached such high auction prices. A dime from 1873 was sold for $3.6 million in 2023. This dime, assigned to be melted as part of the Coinage Act of 1873, is noted as the “sole survivor” of its kind. Additionally, 1792 dimes, or “dismes,” are rare and greatly valued, with only three known to exist. The best-preserved example sold for nearly $999,000 in 2016.
Determining whether a dime is worth more than its face value can be tricky. Unique items aren’t always rare or valuable, said Dustin Johnson, the vice president of numismatics at Heritage Auctions. Consultation with an expert is advised to assess the worth of potentially valuable coins.