What You Should Know Before you Sell Barber Head Coins

The purpose of this article is to provide you with essential information on Barber Head coinage. Among the topics we’ll discuss are the designer and history of Barber Head coinage, low mintage or key date coins in the series that will bring a premium; some options if you choose to buy or sell Barber Head coins, and where you’re likely to receive the most value for your coin collection. Being armed with this information should help to improve your chances of a successful transaction in the future.

Charles E. Barber designed the Barber Liberty head dime, quarter, and half dollar. Barber, whose father and grandfather both were also engravers, was born in London in 1840 and moved to America when he was 10 years old. He was initially hired by his father, William, as assistant engraver in 1869 and became the United States Bureau of the Mint Chief Engraver in 1879, following his father’s untimely death. The Barber coinage was ultimately the result of the approval by Congress to find a new look for U.S. silver coins; initial efforts to find a design through a contest were spoiled because artists, unhappy with the way the competition was run, refused to participate. Edward O. Leech, Mint Director, instructed Barber to create new designs for the dime, quarter, and half dollar in 1891; and the Barber coinage was first struck in 1892.

Among members of the public and artists, the opinions of the Barber head coinage were and still are mixed. All three coins have the head of Lady Liberty on the obverse. Liberty is crowned by a wreath, and many think the image looks much like a Julius Caesar coin.

The Barber Liberty Head Dime

On the reverse of the Barber head dime, a wreath of wheat or corn encircles the words “one dime.” The complete Barber dime series is comprised of 74 regular issues; the 1894-S, which is ultra-rare, with only 24 struck at the San Francisco Mint; and two major varieties, those being the 1893/2-P and 1905-O micro-O.

Approximately 504 million Barber dimes were produced, which is significantly more than the 264 million Barber Liberty head quarters produced. In mint state, the 1894-S ultra-rare issue is rated R8 and has sold for many hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is somewhat of an abundance of mint state Barber head dimes, making it entirely within reach to complete a mint state Barber head dime set, though perseverance and patience are most likely required.

Barber dimes were produced through 1916, when they were replaced with the Mercury dime.

Barber Liberty Head Quarter

The Barber quarter, which has the image of an eagle on the reverse, was also minted from 1892 through 1916. From 1892 through 1903, the quarters were struck annually at the San Francisco and New Orleans mints. From 1906 until the series ended, production of the coin was done most years at the Denver Mint. None of the quarters were struck in New Orleans after 1909.

The rarest Barber quarters, with a mintage of 40,000, were produced in 1913 in San Francisco. The 1901-S and 1896-S were also low mintage years. An example of each of these three key dates makes for a valuable coin collection, even with well-circulated grades.

Barber Head Half Dollar

The so-called Liberty head half dollar has the same reverse image as the Barber quarter. The coin was minted in large quantities from 1892 through 1915. In 1901 the image of the leaves in one of the eagle’s talons was sharpened. The coin was also modified slightly in 1908 and 1912, but that was primarily due to the use of new hubs.

The most sought-after Barber half dollar is probably the 1892-0 because the mintmark which designates that the coin was struck in New Orleans is the same sized “O” used on quarters. Referred to as the “microscopic O,” these coins can trade for as much as 20 times the value of the other half dollars from the same year.

Many coin collectors prize three coins minted in San Francisco—the 1901, 1904, and 1907 half dollars. The rarest of the three is the 1904-S.

In summary, the Barber Head series of dimes, quarters, and half dollars has a long and storied history. Additionally, some of the mintages can be quite valuable. When dealing with potentially high priced coins, or any items for that matter, it’s always best to conduct business with an expert. These means that you should only consider transacting with coin dealers that have experience in old and rare coins. If you’re unable to find a local coin expert, consider searching online, as there are many online coin dealers to whom you can sell Barber Head coins. Be sure to do your due diligence to confirm that you’re only conducting business with a reputable coin dealer. Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers