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The Unofficial Barber Proof Thread

P0CKETCHANGEP0CKETCHANGE Posts: 3,480 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited August 2, 2026 10:52AM in U.S. Coin Forum

This thread is for all things related to Proof Barbers: discussion, show-and-tell, auction results, etc., focusing on the dimes, quarters, and half dollars (sorry, no Liberty nickels).

Minted annually from 1892-1915, mintages range from a very low 380 coins to 1,245 coins (all three denominations during the first year of issue). The dimes include the famous 1894-S branch mint proof, as well as the overdate 1893/2.

Cameo and deep cameo examples add intrigue, and are scarce to rare depending on the year. Coins come from super original and colorful, to blast white with deep black mirrors. Almost all are sharply struck and make superb type coins.

I started this thread just to have a central place to appreciate these beautiful relics of late 19th and early 20th century history. Feel free to jump in and share your coins, thoughts and observations, or just follow along.

It's fitting to start with my first Proof Barber acquisition, this 1914 PR63 CAC quarter which I bought as my type set example back in 2019. I was amazed by the very low mintage of 380 coins, and the intriguing textile toning on the obverse.

Nothing is as expensive as free money.

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    edwardjulioedwardjulio Posts: 1,283 ✭✭✭✭✭

    End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All of Us
    ANA LM, LSCC, EAC, FUN

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    P0CKETCHANGEP0CKETCHANGE Posts: 3,480 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Tom_B that's a beauty! That rich toning must be spellbinding in-hand. 1915 is my second favorite year—last year of proof issue, and second lowest mintage (450).

    Nothing is as expensive as free money.

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    johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 32,931 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Love the toning on that one pocket change, I like

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    SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 13,055 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have focused on proof and SMS halves from 1936-1970; however at some point in time I will expand my collecting efforts to include proof Barber and Seated Liberty halves.

    :)

    Looking forward to seeing threadd develop.

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    Eldorado9Eldorado9 Posts: 2,783 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here's my best dime:

    Pf-68 Cam, cac


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    The_Dinosaur_ManThe_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,549 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have none of my own to offer. I do love this era of Proof coinage.

    Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
    Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
    https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.

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    DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,934 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I bought this out of an on-line Heritage Auction not knowing how nice it would be in hand. The coin picture in the catalogue was dark and It was only a PF66 CAC.

    But it still takes my breath away every time I look at it.

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    DarkStarDarkStar Posts: 479 ✭✭✭✭✭








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