1911 Barber Dime : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

Throughout the Barber Dime’s 24-year run, the Philadelphia Mint consistently struck the silver 10-cent piece in much higher quantities than any of the branch mints. For collectors, this means that assembling a complete date set of the series remains within reach in grades up to and including MS63 for all dates. The 1911 Barber Dime, along with the 1892 and 1916 dimes, are the most common issues. As the other two bookend the series, the 1911 doesn’t get the same level of attention.

How Much Is the 1911 Barber Dime Worth?

1911 Barber Dimes survive in grades from About Good to MS68+. In circulated condition, the most frequently encountered state is Good-4 to Good-6. These coins will be rubbed flat, with only basic details remaining, and trade for about their intrinsic silver value. That doesn’t mean well-worn Barber Dimes aren’t interesting; finding one in circulation 110+ years after its issue would be remarkable!

Collectors are more inclined to pursue examples in high circulated grades or Mint State. In the higher circulated grades, 1911 Barber Dimes sell for $50 to $75.

Mint State coins require certification from a leading grading service (CAC, NGC, or PCGS) to ascertain a fair market value. Here the most frequently encountered grades are MS63 and MS64. Historically, collectors of this type of material have preferred “white” coins, which has led to many examples being dipped to remove tarnish. When done incorrectly, this can ruin a coin, leading the grading service to render a Details grade. But even a professional dipping can strip away the coin’s natural beauty, rendering it lifeless. Often, this is what we often see when we look at brilliant Choice Uncirculated coins in the MS63 to 64 range that sell for the low end of the market: $150-$220.

In Gem, the 1911 Barber Dime sells for about 50% more than a MS64. It is an overlooked grade for the date and we do not recommend it as an “investment” coin, as MS66 and MS67 coins are plentiful. MS66 coins start at about $600.

Our Noteworthy Specimens start at MS67+, except for a recently listed CAC MS67 from the Del Loy Hansen Collection. This coin has earned the “Triple Crown”, having been graded MS67 by NGC, PCGS, and (now) CAC.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

Top Population: PCGS MS68+ (1, 10/2024), NGC MS68 (3, 10/2024), and CAC MS68 (1:0 stickered:graded, 10/2024).

• PCGS MS68 #46871120: DLRC, July 30, 2023, Lot 7220; Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2024, Lot 3328 – $6,300. The obverse boasts sun yellow toning the fields. Rims are toned with a band of green and red toning. Dappled antiqued orange, red, and green toning on the reverse.
• NGC MS68* #347155-002: As NGC MS67* #302724-010. Heritage Auctions, April 6, 2006, Lot 439 – $4,600. As NGC MS68* #347155-002. Heritage Auctions, June 1, 2006, Lot 1116 – $9,775. Upgraded by one point. Second NGC coin to grade MS68. “The Joseph C. Thomas Collection,” Heritage Auctions, April 29, 2009, Lot 234 – $7,475; Heritage Auctions, October 22, 2009, Lot 424 – $6,325; Stack’s, September 30, 2010, Lot 2659 – $6,670. Vivid blue, magenta, green, and gold target toning on the obverse. Streaky slate grey and gold toning on the reverse.
• PCGS MS67+ CAC #40184979: “The Rockford Collection, Part Three,” Stack’s Bowers, November 22, 2021, Lot 1300 – $2,640. Impressive gold, red, and green tiger stripe toning pattern on the obverse. Less-pronounced striped toning pattern on the reverse.
• PCGS MS67+ #41737282: Stack’s Bowers, August 17, 2021, Lot 3073 – $2,880. All over gold, orange, and green toning. Wispy, almost vertical toning striations on the right obverse side.
• PCGS MS67+ #19344916: Heritage Auctions, April 2016, Lot 1315; “The Lily Nicole Collection,” Heritage Auctions, April 22, 2015, Lot 3964 – $3,995. Lily Nicole Collection on insert. As PCGS MS67+ #82426576. Heritage Auctions, February 16, 2017, Lot 3393 – $2,820. Faint champagne-red toning on both sides. Faint slate grey toning at rim above ITED ST. Vertical toning streak in right obverse field to the left of nose. Streaky blue, champagne, and rose toning on the reverse.
• CACG MS67 #170264228: As NGC MS67 #1939315-001. Heritage Auctions, August 13, 2006, Lot 952 – $2,990. As PCGS MS67 CAC #32943998. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, December 2016, Lot 121 – $2,970. As CACG MS67 #170264228. DLRC, October 3, 2024, Lot 782373 – View. Crossed to CACG. Hansen novelty insert. Brilliant. Tiny cut on cheek. Vertical streak in left obverse field.

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Design

Obverse:

Liberty faces right, with tightly constrained hair barely visible below a prominent wreath of laurel that surrounds the base of a freedman’s hat; the wreath is tied at the back by a ribbon. Above the forehead is a small band that displays the word LIBERTY. Inside the denticulated rim is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the top (the phrase divided by the the wreath) and the date at the bottom. Designer Charles Barber’s initial B is toward the back of the base of the neck.

Reverse:

A wreath of two branches of corn, wheat, maple, and oak leaves forms a concentric circle inside a ring of denticles next to the rim, a ribbon tying the branches at the bottom. The denomination ONE DIME is in the center, each word on a separate line.

Edge:

The edge of the 1911 Barber Dime is reeded.

Coin Specifications

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