Coin

1 Dime "Barber Dime" (1908) — United States

United States • 1908 • KM# 113, Schön# 120, PCGS# 4796-4871, 4875, etc., Greysheet# 4321-4468, 70950, etc.

1 Dime "Barber Dime" (1908) — United States

Overview

A Proof strike silver 1 Dime coin of the United States, known as the 'Barber Dime'. Struck in 1908 at the Philadelphia mint (no mintmark) with a limited mintage of 545 pieces. Features Liberty facing right on the obverse and the value within a wreath on the reverse. Designed by Charles Edward Barber.

Specifications

Country
United States
Year
1908
Composition
Silver (.900) (.100 copper)
Weight
2.5 g
Diameter
17.9 mm
Thickness
1.2 mm
Mint
Philadelphia
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM# 113, Schön# 120, PCGS# 4796-4871, 4875, etc., Greysheet# 4321-4468, 70950, etc.
Issuer
United States

Design details

Obverse

Liberty head to right, date below. Script: Latin Lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA B 1911 Engraver: Charles Edward Barber

Reverse

Value within wreath, mintmark below. Script: Latin Lettering: ONE DIME S Engraver: Charles Edward Barber

Collector insights

  • Design heritage: Charles Edward Barber is credited as the designer for the Standard circulation coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
  • Struck at: Philadelphia. Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Low mintage: Only 545 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
  • Precious metal content: Silver (.900) (.100 copper) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM# 113, Schön# 120, PCGS# 4796-4871, 4875, etc., Greysheet# 4321-4468, 70950, etc.. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

In 1908, the Barber Dime remained a fundamental component of the United States monetary system under the Dollar currency established in 1785. The year was marked by the end of Theodore Roosevelt's presidency and a period of relative economic stability following the Panic of 1907. This specific proof issue was produced at the Philadelphia Mint to meet the demands of numismatists during the peak of the series' production years.

Design heritage

Chief Engraver Charles Edward Barber designed both the obverse and reverse, placing his initial 'B' at the truncation of Liberty's neck. The obverse features a classical representation of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap and a laurel wreath, while the reverse displays a wreath of corn, wheat, maple, and oak leaves surrounding the denomination. The design was intended to replace the long-running Seated Liberty motif with something more contemporary for the late 19th century.

Varieties and technical notes

The 1908 Proof Barber Dime was struck exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint and features a reeded edge and a standard round shape. High-quality proof strikes are characterized by sharp, crisp details on the wreath elements and a mirrored field that contrasts with the frosted devices. Collectors should examine the strike quality on the laurel leaves and the date placement as standard indicators of the 1908 proof pressing.

Survival and modern availability

With a confirmed mintage of only 545 pieces, this proof issue is significantly scarcer than its circulation-strike counterparts. While the silver composition of .900 fineness caused many business strikes to be melted during different economic eras, these proof coins were largely preserved by contemporary collectors. Modern survival is limited, with most known examples held in specialized collections or verified through professional grading services.

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