What's the outlook for Barber dimes?

39Special · January 25, 2010 3:50AM

I'm new to this series but am starting to like them. I looked at the pops and they are really, really low in MS grades for most dates (around 25 or so), yet many of the prices are pretty reasonable, around a few hundred dollars for grades up to MS64 for many of them. Is the series just not that popular? What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity? Barber quarters and halves sure go for premiums, but I guess they don't care much about the dimes!

BaseballAbs · January 25, 2010 5:23AM

" What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity? "
Thats the magic question, Who knows? I would think quarters will always be more popular in my opinion, compared to dimes in general. I say have fun and try to find nice coins with good prices.

rhedden · January 25, 2010 6:09AM

I have a mostly BU Barber dime Registry set that is almost complete. This is one series that has actually lost value overall during the past 8 years or so, except the 1895-O. Truly rare coins, but a terrible investment in my experience. Everyone seemingly wants to collect these in XF-AU because those grades represent better value.

MFH · January 25, 2010 6:20AM

I agree with Ron Hedden, the Dimes seem to have been flat-liners over the years
as opposed to the Quarters and Halves.

Many of the coins I bought 15 years ago are at the same level today.
The Dimes are not a terribly expensive set to put together - unless
you're going for Gem MS.

You will be surprised at the amount of sleepers in the series... some
dates are just not available yet still do not command that much of a
premium.

I posted my raw set on the Barber Thread a couple of weeks ago;
and they are all headed to the PCGS Grading Room as I type this.

It really is a fun series - and I wish you well.

Just pick a grade and stick to it !!

barberlover · January 25, 2010 8:18AM

<< <i>I agree with Ron Hedden, the Dimes seem to have been flat-liners over the years
as opposed to the Quarters and Halves.

Many of the coins I bought 15 years ago are at the same level today.
The Dimes are not a terribly expensive set to put together - unless
you're going for Gem MS.

You will be surprised at the amount of sleepers in the series... some
dates are just not available yet still do not command that much of a
premium.

I posted my raw set on the Barber Thread a couple of weeks ago;
and they are all headed to the PCGS Grading Room as I type this.

It really is a fun series - and I wish you well.

Just pick a grade and stick to it !! >>

MfH, about the Barber dime collection pics you posted last week of your collection....

We're not worthy, ( barber lover bowes to MFH) We're not worthy!

Please MFH, if you ever upgrade that collection contact me about the common dates you want to sell.

Edited to add Go Vikings!......oops.....to late.

RWB · January 25, 2010 8:20AM

Cloudy with a chance of limited popularity. Occasional bursts of discovery followed by a very fine calm.

boyhowdy · January 25, 2010 9:21AM

I've been specializing in Barber dimes for 12 years, mostly by buying and selling on eBay.

Prices for uncs. has been flat for type dates and better for better dates. The biggest declines
are about where you would expect, in the 'tweener grades such as MS61, 62 and 64. There
is a lot more interest in the XF and AU areas than in mintstate coins. THIS IS IMPORTANT --
An AU Barber dime looks better than an AU Barber quarter or half. Maybe it's the size, I don't know.
So there isn't as much room in the price sheets between AU and 60 if you are used to the bigger coins.

Barber dimes are a challenge to find original coins. Embrace the originality and you cut out 80% of
the chaff.

Good hunting, Steve.

OneCent · January 25, 2010 9:41AM

<< <i>I've been specializing in Barber dimes for 12 years, mostly by buying and selling on eBay.

Prices for uncs. has been flat for type dates and better for better dates. The biggest declines
are about where you would expect, in the 'tweener grades such as MS61, 62 and 64. There
is a lot more interest in the XF and AU areas than in mintstate coins. THIS IS IMPORTANT --
An AU Barber dime looks better than an AU Barber quarter or half. Maybe it's the size, I don't know.
So there isn't as much room in the price sheets between AU and 60 if you are used to the bigger coins.

Barber dimes are a challenge to find original coins. Embrace the originality and you cut out 80% of
the chaff.

Good hunting, Steve. >>

What is your e-bay handle, Steve? I'd be interested in looking at your material from time to time.
Shoot me a pm if you prefer to not publicize.

Thanks.

PCcoins · January 25, 2010 9:46AM

I doubt they will ever be a popular series. The design wasn't liked when they first came into circulation in 1892, and aren't widely collected today.

Walkerguy21D · January 25, 2010 10:03AM

I know that the last two times I posted 1909S dimes on the fourm (one in XF, one in VF) at around Greysheet Ask, I got multiple inquiries and sold them both in a short period of time

rhedden · January 25, 2010 10:53AM

Good information and accurate claims all around in this thread. The 1909-S and 1909-O are probably two of the most easily salable coins in this series in XF-AU grades. I will add that in BU grades, these are not easy to sell unless they are PQ or pretty toners. See examples below. That is the key if you want to get into BU Barber dimes and come out with some profit down the road. Don't buy dipped out white coins, or those with ugly brown spotted (though original) toning. Get the ones with nice album toning, or at least some light original golden/russet tone. I would tell you to collect these in AU55-58, but it's gotten practically impossible to assemble a set with so many people (like MFH!) cleansing the market of attractive AUs. By that, I mean the really nice AU better dates have been stripped from the market. If profit and investment is not the foremost issue, the MS63 to MS65 grades offer a great opportunity (that's what I collect mostly). There is little competition in this grade range, meaning you can find attractive MS64s of many dates for reasonable prices. The price tags are a lot lower than the MS66-67 wonder coins that the top 3 Registry sets contain. I seem to be one of just a few collectors who has a PCGS Registry set in the mostly MS62-64 range. There are a lot of great coins with true rarity in the set, and yes, it is possible to find attractive coins in MS62 holders! I just would not expect to double your money in 2 years with this set, however, because there is not a fundamental collector base that will drive the prices up. What needs to happen is that the prices for AU coins have to actually catch up to the prices for MS63-64 coins. Then a lot of people will see value and beauty in the BUs, and start collecting them instead. That situation is close to reality with the better quarters and halves, but the dimes aren't there yet. For the time being, I collect this series in BU simply because I love the coins and most of them are truly rare.

1893-S PCGS MS64

1895-P PCGS MS63

1897-P PCGS MS64

1902-O PCGS MS61

1906-D PCGS MS64

BillyKingsley · January 26, 2010 12:19AM

I've really taken a liking to the Barber dimes. Pretty recently in fact. I was originally drawn to them because they are one of the few classic US silver issues I can actually afford, even in higher circulated grades then worn nearly smooth. I had three in my collection before CoinFest in October, I now have 15 in my collection, and most of them are not worn smooth. Of the three I had before CoinFest, one is toned a nasty black color, one is worn so smooth I am not 100% sure of the date, and the third is also worn badly, but the date is clear, so I don't think I truly appreciated them. I bought more Barber Dimes then anything else at the show.

The most I paid for any of them was $10, as I recall, and most I paid less then $5 for. I think I can get close to a complete series, in circulated grades. I have not done too much research on what dates are Keys yet...or what they sell for...but I will, in time.

I know the pictures aren't great...but I am still learning coin photography. This was taken in direct sunlight and is somewhat washed out. And this isn't even the highest graded one I purchased, I got one where Liberty is still fully visible, but no picture of it. This coin is a slate gray color in overall appearence, which is a shading I like on old silver.

OneCent · January 26, 2010 8:53AM

Nice post BillyKingsley...a breath of fresh air and what the essence of coin collecting is all about.

Do you fancy yourself trying to complete a set?

Redglobe · January 26, 2010 9:05AM

Hello,

"Nice post BillyKingsley...a breath of fresh air and what the essence of coin collecting is all about."

I was thinking the same thing.

I would like to add,be patient,and look at alot of coins. You'll get alot of bang for your buck!

Nice coin BTW.

Rob

STEWARTBLAYNUMIS · January 26, 2010 9:59AM

I JUST LOVE SUPERB GEM MINT STATE AND PROOF BARBER DIMES WITH COLORED ALBUM TONING AND BOOMING LUSTER !

I also love finding circulated Barber dimes in bags of silver. Its a lot of FUN.
MFH is the KING of AU Barber coinage.

Stewart Blay

roadrunner · January 26, 2010 11:26AM

Two reasons why the dimes lag the quarters and halves:

1. Larger coins are more popular
2. The larger denominations are generally tougher to find in better MS grades.

The dimes in MS are generally quite available in any grade you may want. Yeah, the few REG set guys may knock heads on the finest of the MS67's or MS68's but most every date is available at the MS66 level and those few dates that may not be are certainly available at the MS65 level. In lesser MS grades there are more coins than there are set collectors. When/if that will change is the question.

I think if you look back over the past 20 years even the quarters and halves in MS64-66 haven't done all that exceptionally well either. The top pop pieces have done very well but a better date coin like a MS65 1900-0 25c is still about the same price as it was back then. Only back then it was called MS64+ and was worth $3000-$4000, today it's called MS65 (and probably dipped or slightly washed out) and still worth $3000-$4000. Remember that back then a single sizeable facial hairline on a Barber coin was essentially automatic rejection from the MS/PF65 level. Today, it's not even automatic rejection from the MS67/PF67 level.

It's hard to find nice original MS Barber dimes without a lot of facial chatter/hairlines. Like anything else if you concentrate on full strikes, orig surfaces, killer luster, and a clean cheek for the grade you'll be miles ahead of the next guy. Even back in the 1970's I loved choice/gem MS 1909-s dimes. They were tough back then and most of them when found had somewhat mushy strikes. A tough coin. If I were doing a Barber dime set my first focus would be on tracking down the underrated middle years of O and S mints.

roadrunner

RYK · January 26, 2010 12:19PM

I like Barber dimes, too. When I was a child, they were one of my favorite series. Most of mine were common smoothies (AG-G). As an adult, I have purchased some in better grades. I do not think that the series will ever get "hot". They are small coins and will always be small, and that might be the biggest thing that goes against them ever gaining favor by a larger number of collectors.

dogwood · January 26, 2010 2:41PM

Have briefly considered launching into the set on several occasions but find the Barber Halves and Quarters to be more thriving, in a way. The dimes feel redundant to me, sorry to say. The bigger series are still value hunters paradises much like claims made to the Dimes effect, although I'll bet there are tons of special dates. Had a PCGS 61 1898-o, but used it for fun money at a show. Didn't loose a dime on it though. The dealer seemed quite pleased to acquire it.

BillyKingsley · January 27, 2010 12:01AM

Thanks for the comments

I would like to complete the series someday, but some of the branch mint issues will be tough to afford, for me. I'm not considering the 1894S as part of the set, either! That sells for more then my house would, so that's out for sure.

I'm definitly planning on getting more of these as I can, when I find examples I like!

39Special · January 27, 2010 3:37AM

Really good input from the group on this thread, thanks for showing the interest. I was beginning to wonder if anyone would even respond to the thread and then I check today and see that it's got a bunch of replies. What is drawing me to the series is the amazing album toning you can find on the AU and low MS grades that is really gorgeous. Some of the AU coins still have fantastic luster as well. I recently got an MS62 in a fairly common date that has several hairlines on the neck/cheek but some of the most amazing toning I've ever seen. I'll have to send it in for grading (it's in another TPG holder) and TrueView to share with everyone. And I may have to pick up some more of these.

Dave99B · January 27, 2010 4:19AM

Pricewise, I have no clue.

But I will say this: I saw a nearly complete XF set of dimes about 5 years ago, at the Long Beach coin show.

It was one of the most beautiful sets I have ever laid my eyes upon. Choice, original coins, all Wayte Ratmond album. Yummy!

Dave

nutmeg · January 27, 2010 9:39AM

As far as the outlook goes my opinion is that this series will remain flat. I started my set mostly on a whim. Having about a dozen loose singles on hand, one day I spied an old Library of Coins album at the local dealer. The album is in very nice shape and I bought it for a dollar.
So then it was that I seriously albeit casually started collecting the set. I have a long way to go with it still.

DisneyFan · August 23, 2021 10:09AM

@rhedden said:
Good information and accurate claims all around in this thread. The 1909-S and 1909-O are probably two of the most easily salable coins in this series in XF-AU grades. I will add that in BU grades, these are not easy to sell unless they are PQ or pretty toners. See examples below. That is the key if you want to get into BU Barber dimes and come out with some profit down the road. Don't buy dipped out white coins, or those with ugly brown spotted (though original) toning. Get the ones with nice album toning, or at least some light original golden/russet tone. I would tell you to collect these in AU55-58, but it's gotten practically impossible to assemble a set with so many people (like MFH!) cleansing the market of attractive AUs. By that, I mean the really nice AU better dates have been stripped from the market. If profit and investment is not the foremost issue, the MS63 to MS65 grades offer a great opportunity (that's what I collect mostly). There is little competition in this grade range, meaning you can find attractive MS64s of many dates for reasonable prices. The price tags are a lot lower than the MS66-67 wonder coins that the top 3 Registry sets contain. I seem to be one of just a few collectors who has a PCGS Registry set in the mostly MS62-64 range. There are a lot of great coins with true rarity in the set, and yes, it is possible to find attractive coins in MS62 holders! I just would not expect to double your money in 2 years with this set, however, because there is not a fundamental collector base that will drive the prices up. What needs to happen is that the prices for AU coins have to actually catch up to the prices for MS63-64 coins. Then a lot of people will see value and beauty in the BUs, and start collecting them instead. That situation is close to reality with the better quarters and halves, but the dimes aren't there yet. For the time being, I collect this series in BU simply because I love the coins and most of them are truly rare.

This is referencing a very early post and I recall a later post.

However! Take a look at last night's GC auction. 1898-S Barber Dime MS66 CAC. 9 in MS66 PCGS Price Guide $4,750 - 4 CAC $4,690 LAST SALE $3,360!!! Last five sales in that range. Rank #15 out of 74 in MS66. Sold for $8,451 ($9,507.38 with buyer's premium)

It appears several people are trying to build a top ranked registry set again and there is the new CAC category in registry sets.

No Headlights · August 23, 2021 10:38AM

Or just another example of Nice CAC stuff selling for way over price guide.

TomB · August 23, 2021 11:01AM

@DisneyFan said:

@rhedden said:
Good information and accurate claims all around in this thread. The 1909-S and 1909-O are probably two of the most easily salable coins in this series in XF-AU grades. I will add that in BU grades, these are not easy to sell unless they are PQ or pretty toners. See examples below. That is the key if you want to get into BU Barber dimes and come out with some profit down the road. Don't buy dipped out white coins, or those with ugly brown spotted (though original) toning. Get the ones with nice album toning, or at least some light original golden/russet tone. I would tell you to collect these in AU55-58, but it's gotten practically impossible to assemble a set with so many people (like MFH!) cleansing the market of attractive AUs. By that, I mean the really nice AU better dates have been stripped from the market. If profit and investment is not the foremost issue, the MS63 to MS65 grades offer a great opportunity (that's what I collect mostly). There is little competition in this grade range, meaning you can find attractive MS64s of many dates for reasonable prices. The price tags are a lot lower than the MS66-67 wonder coins that the top 3 Registry sets contain. I seem to be one of just a few collectors who has a PCGS Registry set in the mostly MS62-64 range. There are a lot of great coins with true rarity in the set, and yes, it is possible to find attractive coins in MS62 holders! I just would not expect to double your money in 2 years with this set, however, because there is not a fundamental collector base that will drive the prices up. What needs to happen is that the prices for AU coins have to actually catch up to the prices for MS63-64 coins. Then a lot of people will see value and beauty in the BUs, and start collecting them instead. That situation is close to reality with the better quarters and halves, but the dimes aren't there yet. For the time being, I collect this series in BU simply because I love the coins and most of them are truly rare.

This is referencing a very early post and I recall a later post.

However! Take a look at last night's GC auction. 1898-S Barber Dime MS66 CAC. 9 in MS66 PCGS Price Guide $4,750 - 4 CAC $4,690 LAST SALE $3,360!!! Last five sales in that range. Rank #15 out of 74 in MS66. Sold for $8,451 ($9,507.38 with buyer's premium)

It appears several people are trying to build a top ranked registry set again and there is the new CAC category in registry sets.

It appears to me this might be some cherry-picked data. The 1898-S that just sold looked to be original with very attractive and light-to-medium depth toning on both sides with very good luster. Heck, the coin looks to me like a prime crackout candidate for an MS66+ or MS67 grade.

The previous coin you mention looks to likely have been dipped and also appears to be overgraded (both in my opinion) and I consider it to have negative eye appeal. The previous three coins were all the same coin sold over and over and over again in April, 2015 then December, 2015 then again in April, 2016. The coin has a CAC sticker and a pedigree on the holder, but I think it has the eye appeal of a dog and most other folks would likely agree with me.

The next previous coin on the list sold for about $6,200 in 2014 and it looked like a nice coin worthy of the grade and CAC sticker.

So, that leaves us with cherrypicked data on a single coin with great eye appeal and that is also a definite crackout candidate vs. two dogs sold repeatedly and a nice coin sold seven-years ago. The gains seen look like nothing when viewed at similar quality over time and with inflation. This is a thin market that is prone to swings when dogs or choice coins appear.

DisneyFan · August 23, 2021 11:50AM

@TomB said:

@DisneyFan said:

@rhedden said:
Good information and accurate claims all around in this thread. The 1909-S and 1909-O are probably two of the most easily salable coins in this series in XF-AU grades. I will add that in BU grades, these are not easy to sell unless they are PQ or pretty toners. See examples below. That is the key if you want to get into BU Barber dimes and come out with some profit down the road. Don't buy dipped out white coins, or those with ugly brown spotted (though original) toning. Get the ones with nice album toning, or at least some light original golden/russet tone. I would tell you to collect these in AU55-58, but it's gotten practically impossible to assemble a set with so many people (like MFH!) cleansing the market of attractive AUs. By that, I mean the really nice AU better dates have been stripped from the market. If profit and investment is not the foremost issue, the MS63 to MS65 grades offer a great opportunity (that's what I collect mostly). There is little competition in this grade range, meaning you can find attractive MS64s of many dates for reasonable prices. The price tags are a lot lower than the MS66-67 wonder coins that the top 3 Registry sets contain. I seem to be one of just a few collectors who has a PCGS Registry set in the mostly MS62-64 range. There are a lot of great coins with true rarity in the set, and yes, it is possible to find attractive coins in MS62 holders! I just would not expect to double your money in 2 years with this set, however, because there is not a fundamental collector base that will drive the prices up. What needs to happen is that the prices for AU coins have to actually catch up to the prices for MS63-64 coins. Then a lot of people will see value and beauty in the BUs, and start collecting them instead. That situation is close to reality with the better quarters and halves, but the dimes aren't there yet. For the time being, I collect this series in BU simply because I love the coins and most of them are truly rare.

This is referencing a very early post and I recall a later post.

However! Take a look at last night's GC auction. 1898-S Barber Dime MS66 CAC. 9 in MS66 PCGS Price Guide $4,750 - 4 CAC $4,690 LAST SALE $3,360!!! Last five sales in that range. Rank #15 out of 74 in MS66. Sold for $8,451 ($9,507.38 with buyer's premium)

It appears several people are trying to build a top ranked registry set again and there is the new CAC category in registry sets.

It appears to me this might be some cherry-picked data. The 1898-S that just sold looked to be original with very attractive and light-to-medium depth toning on both sides with very good luster. Heck, the coin looks to me like a prime crackout candidate for an MS66+ or MS67 grade.

The previous coin you mention looks to likely have been dipped and also appears to be overgraded (both in my opinion) and I consider it to have negative eye appeal. The previous three coins were all the same coin sold over and over and over again in April, 2015 then December, 2015 then again in April, 2016. The coin has a CAC sticker and a pedigree on the holder, but I think it has the eye appeal of a dog and most other folks would likely agree with me.

The next previous coin on the list sold for about $6,200 in 2014 and it looked like a nice coin worthy of the grade and CAC sticker.

So, that leaves us with cherrypicked data on a single coin with great eye appeal and that is also a definite crackout candidate vs. two dogs sold repeatedly and a nice coin sold seven-years ago. The gains seen look like nothing when viewed at similar quality over time and with inflation. This is a thin market that is prone to swings when dogs or choice coins appear.

Not being able to hold last night's coin in hand, I'm not able to state whether the coin is attractive OR unatractive.

Interestingly, the above mentioned CACed & pedigreed dog of a coin previously sold for $9,487.50 in July of 2011 when there was registry set competition. If last night's coin is a prime cracklout candidate after years of PCGS and CAC grading, it appears we are still in the wild, wild west!

gumby1234 · August 23, 2021 12:03PM

Cloudy with a chance of rain

amwldcoin · August 23, 2021 12:16PM

They aren't going up because I'm not collecting them yet.

Mr_Spud · August 23, 2021 12:24PM

Circulated Barber dimes look great in Wayte Raymond/ Meghrig folders. Mrs_Spud has a complete one, I have a lower grade one lacking the 95O, I get Mrs_Spuds hand me downs when she upgrades. Here’s a couple of pages from her album and one of her favorite toners from it.

I didn’t capture the toning in the album page shot, but we went for original and most have toned a bit more especially around the periphery since being in the album. A few of them did have a look like they had been cleaned a long time ago and retoned though. It’s a tough set to complete, even circulated like this. So many were abused in the past.

She started the set about 17 years ago and still brings it to shows to look for upgrades.

WAYNEAS · August 23, 2021 12:34PM

@rhedden
@Mr_Spud

A beautiful and admirable set of coins.
Wayne>

Eldorado9 · August 23, 2021 12:47PM

Big Barber dime fan here....I like them in Proof condition with attractive toning....They make a beautiful collection....Only 24 coins in all, and not too crazy price-wise unless you are shooting for PF-68's....The PF-65's and 66's are fairly reasonable....It will take some searching to put together a nice set however. Lots of unattractive retreads out there. Here are some premium examples....

Project Numismatics · August 23, 2021 1:05PM

Shhhhhh… please don’t draw any attention to Barber dimes! My XF40-45 set is just over 50% complete. I’ve been working on it in earnest for about 4 years. There are many sleepers and it’s extremely difficult to find original mark-free surfaces for certain dates.

pmh1nic · August 23, 2021 2:00PM

@J2035 said:
Shhhhhh… please don’t draw any attention to Barber dimes! My XF40-45 set is just over 50% complete. I’ve been working on it in earnest for about 4 years. There are many sleepers and it’s extremely difficult to find original mark-free surfaces for certain dates.

The Barber design is one of my favorites and if my eyesight was better and my hands were steadier I'd start collecting the dimes .

DisneyFan · August 23, 2021 3:44PM

@Eldorado9 said:
Big Barber dime fan here....I like them in Proof condition with attractive toning....They make a beautiful collection....Only 24 coins in all, and not too crazy price-wise unless you are shooting for PF-68's....The PF-65's and 66's are fairly reasonable....It will take some searching to put together a nice set however. Lots of unattractive retreads out there. Here are some premium examples....

Beautiful colors. What distinguishes a PF 64 from a 65 or 66?

Eldorado9 · August 23, 2021 4:24PM

@DisneyFan said:

@Eldorado9 said:
Big Barber dime fan here....I like them in Proof condition with attractive toning....They make a beautiful collection....Only 24 coins in all, and not too crazy price-wise unless you are shooting for PF-68's....The PF-65's and 66's are fairly reasonable....It will take some searching to put together a nice set however. Lots of unattractive retreads out there. Here are some premium examples....

Beautiful colors. What distinguishes a PF 64 from a 65 or 66?

That's a very tough question to answer actually. Generally the grade is determined by the surface quality of the coin: Presence of hairlines in the fields, and on the devices, as well as the color and originality of the proof. Most proofs that grade from PF61-63 have been cleaned in the past and exhibit hairlined fields. As you move up the scale, the coins should show fewer hairlines....As you get into the PF-66, 67 and 68 ranges, you should have virtually no hairlines, and very clean devices, with original color. The key to collecting is to find uncleaned proofs, i.e. original surfaces, no hairlines, that haven't been grade inflated....A good example would be the 1915 dime I posted above. It's very attractive and graded at PF-65+ but has the eye appeal of a higher grade IMHO.

bearcave · August 23, 2021 6:34PM

@pmh1nic said:

@J2035 said:
Shhhhhh… please don’t draw any attention to Barber dimes! My XF40-45 set is just over 50% complete. I’ve been working on it in earnest for about 4 years. There are many sleepers and it’s extremely difficult to find original mark-free surfaces for certain dates.

The Barber design is one of my favorites and if my eyesight was better and my hands were steadier I'd start collecting the dimes .

This! 😉

erwindoc · August 23, 2021 7:18PM

Fun to see an old thread resurrected!

rhedden · August 23, 2021 8:32PM

I don't even remember typing out the comments in my post from 2010.

I sold most of my Registry set somewhat after this thread was started, and I kept about 10 of the nicest coins: 1895-O, 1898-S, 1901-S, 1903-S in PCGS MS64, the 1895-P, 1897-P, and 1906-D pictured above, and a few others like 1909-P, 1912-D and 1912-S that were nice for the grade. Most of them would probably CAC if I bothered to send them in. The only coin that has showed significant price appreciation is the 1895-O, which just keeps on truckin.'

seanq · August 23, 2021 8:39PM

I had a complete set (minus the '94-S, obviouslsy) in AG/G that I housed in an old Whitman Bookshelf album. I sold it 25 years ago this summer to pay for my wedding photographer. I would love to build another set in a Meghrig album as pictured above, but I cannot picture myself ponying up for the key dates at the current price levels.

Sean Reynolds

Treashunt · August 24, 2021 5:32AM

I have collected Barber dimes since about 1999, when I used to go to a local show dealers would call me over to show me their dimes, and quarters.
Since no one else wanted them.
At the time I could 'steal' [in my opinion] Barber dimes in AU for about XF money since no one wanted them.
If I bought quantity, they practically gave me them - many times at or near melt, for G to even sometimes Fines..

WCC · August 24, 2021 6:51AM

@39Special said:

Is the series just not that popular?
>
Popular compared to what else? It is all relative. The answer is that no, the series doesn't have a particularly high collector preference. It's a small denomination with a design that collectors like ok but not a lot.

The coins aren't common but none collected as part of the full set (94-S isn't included in most sets) are rare either. The 95-O is a "key" date and to my knowledge it has limited availability in higher grades but the coin is not that scarce and it is far from cheap now. Overall, I wouldn't rely on the population data. My assumption is that the actual supply is usually some multiple. Key date like the 95-O more complete due to "positive selection bias".

@39Special said:

What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity?
>
Virtually nil IMO, compared to other US coinage and I also expect it to lose preference versus coinage from elsewhere (some world and ancients). If it's going to gain value (my assumption of your definition for "popularity"), I'd guess about the same as US coins generally. As a series, I see no reason to believe the series is going to increase more than the current alternatives from US coinage costing about the same now. Individual dates historically vary more.

I have been a collector since 1975 and it's relative preference has not changed to my knowledge versus other US series, certainly not dimes. I'm also not aware that it changed before 1975, except compared to new series after it, such as the Mercury.

When asking this question, you've got to ask yourself another one. What's going to make collectors like this series (or any other) more than they do now? The coins aren't going to change so there has to be something in the way collector see it to change perception.

amwldcoin · August 24, 2021 12:01PM

IMHO you don't have a handle on the market. They are strong and gaining steam. Go watch the dimes about to auction at Stacks in a little while. They are all seem to be at or above PCGS PG!

@WCC said:

@39Special said:

Is the series just not that popular?
>
Popular compared to what else? It is all relative. The answer is that no, the series doesn't have a particularly high collector preference. It's a small denomination with a design that collectors like ok but not a lot.

The coins aren't common but none collected as part of the full set (94-S isn't included in most sets) are rare either. The 95-O is a "key" date and to my knowledge it has limited availability in higher grades but the coin is not that scarce and it is far from cheap now. Overall, I wouldn't rely on the population data. My assumption is that the actual supply is usually some multiple. Key date like the 95-O more complete due to "positive selection bias".

@39Special said:

What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity?
>
Virtually nil IMO, compared to other US coinage and I also expect it to lose preference versus coinage from elsewhere (some world and ancients). If it's going to gain value (my assumption of your definition for "popularity"), I'd guess about the same as US coins generally. As a series, I see no reason to believe the series is going to increase more than the current alternatives from US coinage costing about the same now. Individual dates historically vary more.

I have been a collector since 1975 and it's relative preference has not changed to my knowledge versus other US series, certainly not dimes. I'm also not aware that it changed before 1975, except compared to new series after it, such as the Mercury.

When asking this question, you've got to ask yourself another one. What's going to make collectors like this series (or any other) more than they do now? The coins aren't going to change so there has to be something in the way collector see it to change perception.

WCC · August 24, 2021 12:24PM

@amwldcoin said:
IMHO you don't have a handle on the market. They are strong and gaining steam. Go watch the dimes about to auction at Stacks in a little while. They are all seem to be at or above PCGS PG!

@WCC said:

@39Special said:

Is the series just not that popular?
>
Popular compared to what else? It is all relative. The answer is that no, the series doesn't have a particularly high collector preference. It's a small denomination with a design that collectors like ok but not a lot.

The coins aren't common but none collected as part of the full set (94-S isn't included in most sets) are rare either. The 95-O is a "key" date and to my knowledge it has limited availability in higher grades but the coin is not that scarce and it is far from cheap now. Overall, I wouldn't rely on the population data. My assumption is that the actual supply is usually some multiple. Key date like the 95-O more complete due to "positive selection bias".

@39Special said:

What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity?
>
Virtually nil IMO, compared to other US coinage and I also expect it to lose preference versus coinage from elsewhere (some world and ancients). If it's going to gain value (my assumption of your definition for "popularity"), I'd guess about the same as US coins generally. As a series, I see no reason to believe the series is going to increase more than the current alternatives from US coinage costing about the same now. Individual dates historically vary more.

I have been a collector since 1975 and it's relative preference has not changed to my knowledge versus other US series, certainly not dimes. I'm also not aware that it changed before 1975, except compared to new series after it, such as the Mercury.

When asking this question, you've got to ask yourself another one. What's going to make collectors like this series (or any other) more than they do now? The coins aren't going to change so there has to be something in the way collector see it to change perception.

Strong compared to what? Are Barber dimes really increasing more than comparable quality US coinage generally?

That's the assessment I was providing in my post.

amwldcoin · August 24, 2021 12:55PM

Time will tell!

@WCC said:

@amwldcoin said:
IMHO you don't have a handle on the market. They are strong and gaining steam. Go watch the dimes about to auction at Stacks in a little while. They are all seem to be at or above PCGS PG!

@WCC said:

@39Special said:

Is the series just not that popular?
>
Popular compared to what else? It is all relative. The answer is that no, the series doesn't have a particularly high collector preference. It's a small denomination with a design that collectors like ok but not a lot.

The coins aren't common but none collected as part of the full set (94-S isn't included in most sets) are rare either. The 95-O is a "key" date and to my knowledge it has limited availability in higher grades but the coin is not that scarce and it is far from cheap now. Overall, I wouldn't rely on the population data. My assumption is that the actual supply is usually some multiple. Key date like the 95-O more complete due to "positive selection bias".

@39Special said:

What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity?
>
Virtually nil IMO, compared to other US coinage and I also expect it to lose preference versus coinage from elsewhere (some world and ancients). If it's going to gain value (my assumption of your definition for "popularity"), I'd guess about the same as US coins generally. As a series, I see no reason to believe the series is going to increase more than the current alternatives from US coinage costing about the same now. Individual dates historically vary more.

I have been a collector since 1975 and it's relative preference has not changed to my knowledge versus other US series, certainly not dimes. I'm also not aware that it changed before 1975, except compared to new series after it, such as the Mercury.

When asking this question, you've got to ask yourself another one. What's going to make collectors like this series (or any other) more than they do now? The coins aren't going to change so there has to be something in the way collector see it to change perception.

Strong compared to what? Are Barber dimes really increasing more than comparable quality US coinage generally?

That's the assessment I was providing in my post.

rays · August 24, 2021 1:46PM

@39Special said:
What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity?

Very unlikely for several reasons. One, too small. Two, the series contains an impossible stopper- 1894-S. If I were to collect a series with a design as pedestrian as the Barbers, I would want to at least be able to complete it someday.

WCC · August 24, 2021 3:43PM

@rays said:

@39Special said:
What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity?

Very unlikely for several reasons. One, too small. Two, the series contains an impossible stopper- 1894-S. If I were to collect a series with a design as pedestrian as the Barbers, I would want to at least be able to complete it someday.

Does the 94-S really discourage very many from collecting it? I assume they just ignore it considering their set complete anyway.

I believe this is more common with Barber quarters where there are three rather expensive key dates that are beyond the budget of the vast majority of collectors, especially the 01-S which costs several thousand even in the lowest quality.

Elcontador · August 24, 2021 3:48PM

Barber coinage has never been popular. They aren't attractive coins, and there hasn't been strong demand for them in decades, except for the keys dates.

If you're looking at Uncs., you'll look a long time for a nice Half. Nice Dimes and Quarters are available in all grades, except for the 3 scarce quarters. I don't know about the 95 O Dime availability in circulated grades.

amwldcoin · August 24, 2021 3:57PM

Do you collect V-Nickels?

@rays said:

@39Special said:
What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity?

Very unlikely for several reasons. One, too small. Two, the series contains an impossible stopper- 1894-S. If I were to collect a series with a design as pedestrian as the Barbers, I would want to at least be able to complete it someday.

amwldcoin · August 24, 2021 3:58PM

They sure seem to be now!

Edit to add...your take on Barbers is why there are so many sleepers! Up until the last few years most were just considered type coins except the key dates.

@Elcontador said:
Barber coinage has never been popular. They aren't attractive coins, and there hasn't been strong demand for them in decades, except for the keys dates.

If you're looking at Uncs., you'll look a long time for a nice Half. Nice Dimes and Quarters are available in all grades, except for the 3 scarce quarters. I don't know about the 95 O Dime availability in circulated grades.

No Headlights · August 24, 2021 3:58PM

@rays said:

@39Special said:
What are the odds that 10 years from now, these would pick up in popularity?

Very unlikely for several reasons. One, too small. Two, the series contains an impossible stopper- 1894-S. If I were to collect a series with a design as pedestrian as the Barbers, I would want to at least be able to complete it someday.

Most V nickel collectors just ignore the 1913. I believe most Barber dime collectors do the same with the 94-S.

Mr_Spud · August 24, 2021 4:57PM

Yeah, 94S isn’t a real coin if it wasn’t made in production quantities for commerce.

What's the outlook for Barber dimes?

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