1898 Barber Dime

1898 Barber dimes are widely considered common, especially in comparison to dime issues of the mid 1890s, during which several issues saw mintages of less than 1 million. Of course, that’s not counting proof Barber dimes, which generally numbered less than 1,000 anyway, but relatively few coin collectors actively pursue proof coins of that era.

Here’s a breakdown of 1898 Barber dime mintages and values:

• 1898 – 16,320,000; $5

• 1898-O – 2,130,000; $16

• 1898-S – 1,702,507; $12

• 1898 proof – 735; $600

*Values are for coins in a grade of Good-4, unless otherwise noted.

The Philadelphia issue is the most common by far and can be bought in a grade of Good for a nominal amount over silver bullion value. The New Orleans (O) and San Francisco (S) issues are scarcer and thus more expensive than the 1898 Barber dime, though not cost prohibitively so.

Barber dime collectors who are trying to assemble a complete set of business-strike coins generally have no issue finding all three of the regular issues from 1898, unless those coins are being in sought in upper grades. A complete collection of Barber dimes in Good to Fine is a challenge, but in the case of 1898 pieces, should be an inexpensive and simple run of coins to acquire.