Just how highly prized is the 1894-S Barber Dime? Just to give you an idea, one Barber Dime was sold back in 2005 fir 1.3 million dollars! Not only that, another dime of this kind was sold in 2007 for a whopping 1.9 million dollars. Only 24 Barber Dimes were minted…and out of these 24, only 9 survived.

It was in the first half of 1894 when the 24 proofs of the Barber Dimes were minted back in San Francisco. This is where “S” (the common name found in coins came from). When it comes to facts, very little is known about the Barber Dimes. Some are saying that the superintendent of the San Francisco Mint have them made to serve as gifts for some very important and very rich bankers. Aside from that, it is said that 3 of the dimes were given to the superintendent’s daughter who spend one on ice cream and sold the other 2 during the 1950’s.

In an effort to gather and piece together all of the known facts and figures surrounding the highly prized 1894-S Barber Dime, Kevin Flynn, who is a well-known numismatist author, wrote a book in 2005 which has the title “The 1894-S Dime A Mystery Unraveled”. Very rare and with its history surrounded by mystery, there is no doubt that the 1894-S Barber Dime is one of the most highly prized coins ever produced in the United States.

This dime, which was first minted back in 1916, was designed by Adolf Alexander Weinman. The Mercury Dime, instead of depicting Mercury, showcases an image of Lady Liberty on the obverse side while wearing a winged cap. By the way, the mythical Mercury is a male…and instead of wearing a winged cap, he has wings on his feet!

The wings – which somehow had resemblance to Mercury, led the many to name call it as the Mercury Dime or Mercury Head Dime…a name which stuck. Just in case you don’t know, the portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap symbolizes for the freedom of thought.

Along with that, on the obverse of the coin, one can find the word LIBERTY – largely spaced and arced across the top. Additionally, one can also find a stylized version of the designer’s initials (A.A.W.) printed on the Lady Liberty’s neck. Finally, the words – IN GOD WE TRUST, appear on the bottom left side of the obverse along with the year of minting which is right below the Lady’s collar.

Onto the reverse of the coin, one can find the words – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA along the top, while at the bottom, you can find the coin’s value – ONE DIME. Still at the reverse side of the coin, at the center, you can find a depiction of fasces which is topped off by a battle axe. At the back, you can also find an olive branch wrapping the area. The words E PLURIBUS UNUM is printed to the right at the coin’s reverse side. The last proofs of the Mercury Head Dime were last minted back in 1942, and this dime’s design was abandoned 1945.

You’ll find the Lady Liberty facing the left side on the obverse of the coin. This is flanked by 13 stars – 6 stars on the right and the rest…7 stars on the left. The word LIBERTY is printed on the Lady Liberty’s mobcap that holds her hair. Along with that, the year that it was struck appears at the bottom of the obverse side of the Capped Bust Dime.

The reverse side of the coin shows an eagle – equipped with the Union Shield on its breast. At the same time, the eagle is gripping 3 arrows on its right claw and an olive branch on the left claw. At the bottom of the Capped Bust Dime’s reverse, there appears the value of the coin which is 10 C or 10 CENTS. This is topped off by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA which is arced along the top and the words E PLURIBUS UNUM printed on a ribbon right above the eagle.

About 2 decades later, in 1828, the Capped Bust Dime was replaced by another dime which has the same design but differs a little in size. It has a diameter of 18.5 millimeters. That’s about 0.3 millimeters smaller than the original. This very minor change, however, caused a little confusion. The older ones came to be known as the large size while the newer Capped Bust Dimes came to be known as small size.

The Capped Bust Dime continued to be minted and circulated until 1837 when the Seated Liberty Dime came to be.

A ribbon with the word LIBERTY printed on it is draped across the front of the Union Shield. The Lady Liberty’s mobcap, on the other hand, tops the long pole. On the coin’s reverse side, one can see the words ONE DIME which is circled by a wreath tied off by a bow at its base. Along with that, the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is arced along the top. Just like its half dime counterpart, the Seated Liberty Dime has the same designer – no other than Christian Gobrecht.

When its half dime counterpart underwent some changes, the Seated Liberty Dime followed suit…having the same modifications after the first year it was minted and circulated. What are these modifications? There are 13 stars sprinkled on the obverse of the Seated Liberty Dime – there are 6 stars on the right and 7 stars on the left.

This modified look of the coin lasted all the way until 1853…after that, more changes to the coin were made. There are arrowheads added to both of the mint year’s side. When 1860 steps in, the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was moved – from the reverse to the obverse. Along with that, the wreath located on the reverse of the coin was revamped. As for the arrows, they were eliminated from around the date and year of minting. However, these arrows were restored when 1873 came.

You can say that the Seated Liberty Dime is one of the coins in US coinage history that faced most changes. It lasted a year later…until its minting and circulation was discontinued in 1874.

The coin’s obverse features a Lady Liberty who’s facing right and her hair flowing all the way behind her. Along with that, you can find the word LIBERTY at the top as well as the year the coin’s bottom. Additionally, you’ll find 15 stars displayed on the coin’s obverse – seven on the right and eight on the left.

On the other hand, the coin’s reverse features small eagle with its wings outstretched while standing on a cloud. The small eagle as well as the cloud is encircled with palm and olive branches. To top it off, the words – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA circles almost the entire image.

The initial or first design of the Draped Bust Dime was minted and circulated for two years…starting in 1796. However, during 1798, the design – the coin’s reverse was changed. Like the obverse, it was very identical to the design of the Draped Bust Half Dime. It has an eagle, which is the traditional Union Shield, in the coin’s front. A closer look at the eagle will show you a ribbon along with a phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Along with that, the claws of the eagle hold 13 arrows on the left as well as an olive branch on the right. You can also find 13 stars which are printed just right above the eagle. This is topped off by an arc of clouds above them. On the reverse side, the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA rounds almost this full side of the coin.