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About this product
Product Information
1903-S Barber dimes are silver coins featuring a profile bust of Lady Liberty on the obverse and an engraved wreath with the words “ONE DIME” on the reverse. Valued more for coin collecting than for intrinsic value, these dimes are part of a collection of coinage designed by Charles E. Barber and minted for a brief period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This collection included both quarter dollars and half dollars in addition to the dime, and it included no gold coins or currency denomination below ten cents, meaning no nickels or pennies. The Barber dime’s silver and copper blend lends a consistent silver tone to the coin, so any Barber dimes with a gold appearance may be altered or forged. The 1903-S Barber dime has a mint mark indicating it was minted at the U.S. Mint location in San Francisco, one of three different possibilities for this coin. Designed by an American sculptor who won a contest, the Barber coins, including the dimes, quarters and half dollars, were not universally beloved at the time they were minted, and they were quickly replaced by the mercury dime in 1916. The coins in the Barber line were minted from 1892-1916, a relatively short period of time for this era of U.S. coinage. Art critics and other thinkers of the time thought Barber’s design was unattractive, and coin collectors of the current day still debate the aesthetic merits of Barber’s Lady Liberty design. Regardless of their somewhat controversial status, all of the coins in the Barber coinage line, including the 1903-S Barber dime, may be worth more now than both their face and intrinsic value, though this may change as the value of silver fluctuates. Though it’s illegal to melt down pennies and nickels in the U.S., no such law prevents silver dimes such as this one from being used as scrap metal. The dime is the least valuable of the Barber coins, with collectors preferring the quarters and half dollars. As with all coins, the 1903-S Barber dime is most valuable to collectors in a mint or proof form. If you are building a collection of unusual or less popular coins, then the1903-S Barber dime is a good one to have in the display cabinet. It has an interesting back story that you can tell to fellow enthusiasts.Product Identifiers
DesignerCharles E. Barber
eBay Product ID (ePID)170464630
Product Key Features
Strike TypeBusiness
Mint LocationSan Francisco, San Francisco, California
Composition90% Silver, 10% Copper
Year1903
Dimensions
Weight2.5g
Additional Product Features
Mintage6133
MintSan Francisco
Denomination10C
PCGS Number4832
Diameter17.9mm
Mint MarkS
EdgeReeded
Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 18 Aug, 2017
Very rare coin in AU shape
I was willing to bid as high as needed to secure this coin for my album. I was still lucky because when you bid there is no guarantee. When bidding I have seen two or three buyers in a mode to buy at all cost. This is great for the seller but if you are on a budget like me you learn when to hold'em and when to fold'em. My advice be patient. Just missed out on a 1895o barber by $150, but it was fun. Seller had dime in mail within hours. Charles DickinsonVerified purchase: Yes
- 20 Feb, 2018
Rare beauty
I am happy to finish my collection of Barber Dimes. ThanksVerified purchase: Yes
- 06 Mar, 2018
1903-s is very nice coin
very good quality coinVerified purchase: Yes
- 17 Jul, 2018
Happy Collector
Nice coin and delivered on timeVerified purchase: Yes
- 28 Jul, 2017
buying coins
nice coin / great people to deal withVerified purchase: Yes
- 05 Jun, 2017
good barber
good coin for the priceVerified purchase: Yes
- 18 Dec, 2018
Great Coin
Good coin. exceeds expectations.Verified purchase: Yes
- 28 Oct, 2016
1903 Barber dime
On time and as orderedVerified purchase: Yes
