Accumulating 1913 S Barber Dimes
Years ago I had a thing for AG to VG 1913 S Barber Dimes.
I felt that at the time, the price was very reasonable for an issue with such a low mintage.
They were rarely found at the small local coin shows or my LCS. But, I acquired several raw examples over a period of a few years.
It took me quite awhile to find any 1913 S dimes certified. I found the two certified coins below within 5 days of each other back in 2013. I quickly snagged them.
I quit buying these dimes when the price increased. Besides, I figured 9, 1913 S Dimes were enough.




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Comments
you know you need another nine
The hoarding of that date/mm was heavily promoted by a columnist in Numismatic News over a period of many years.
Yep!
Just one more... you know you want it
There's a member of the Barber Collector Society that said he had over 600 of them 6 or 7 years ago at a meeting.
Collect what and how you like... It is a hobby..... Nice dimes. If I come across any, I will PM you. Cheers, RickO
Survival rate is more important then mintage. A lot of these have survived in lower grades. A market may never show up for these coins. If you go for the higher grades, chances are you would have made out a lot better. Higher grades=high demand. Low grades=low demand. This is especially true for Barber coins, because there are way too many lower grade Barber coins.
Interesting post. I didn't realize how they were coveted in lower grade. I got my 13-s (G3-4 ish) free!
Yes, picking thought the scrap dumpster at the local municipality I came across a small locked low-grade metal cabinet full of personal keepsakes. Removing the upper drawer I discovered about a dozen blue books of various type!
Fortunately or unfortunately all were empty except a "Morgan" dime book containing 26 low grade crusty dimes; one being a 13-s. I am a seated quarter guy but felt the urge to complete the set which I did with the last purchase a week or so ago of the 95-o. 'X's" were coins found, Checked coins were my purchases.
In doing so, I felt it was a tribute to someone who was a collector that started the set but never finished; and then their heirs tossed out the book with the rest of his personal mementos like trash - what a shame!
Here's to you Mr. Funke, whoever you were!





Cool Story, thanks for sharing.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
The 9 you have are probably enough.
A wholesale dealer friend of mine had a couple hundred of these put away a few years ago. I’m guessing he still has these. These would be on top of the hoard amwldcoin mentioned, and I’m sure there are more.
If you like the date, get a couple in xf/au rather than low grade coins.
That's a very noble tribute to a person you never met.
I've always felt that we honor and remember people by thinking of them, and performing some of the things they did while here.
This is a very heartwarming story indeed!
Pete
I personally stopped at only #24 pieces. The range from AG to #2 pieces in VF
BHNC #203
If it were me, I'd put together a set from PO1 to AU58+ .....
That's awesome! Nice to know I wasn't the only one hoarding these things.
I just checked my inventory and darned if I don't have 3 of these dimes. One was given to me over 40 years ago, and 1 I found in a flea market for a dollar.
they're all 13-s