A dime you have lying around may look like any other, but one from the past could bring in over $1 million when it goes under the hammer next month. According to Stack’s Bowers, this rare dime has an estimated value of $1.5 million, far exceeding its original worth.
This specific coin, an 1894-S Barber Dime, finds its origins in San Francisco over 130 years ago. Part of the Barber series, named after engraver Charles E. Barber, these dimes began production in the 1890s. While dimes from this series can sell for hundreds, the ones minted in San Francisco in 1894 are particularly prized. Numismatic News highlights their rarity, with only 24 made in the Bay Area. Of these, only nine are known to still exist.
The upcoming auction will feature this rare coin as part of Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Rarities Night. Previous sales reveal the high demand for these coins. One such Barber dime achieved $2.16 million last year. Another fetched $1.5 million three years ago, earlier selling for over $1 million in 2005.
Bidding for this dime starts at $1 million on September 1 via the Stack’s Bowers website. Though rare, some dimes have brought in even higher sums. Heritage Auctions records show a dime from 1873 sold for $3.6 million. This coin was intended to be melted due to the Coinage Act of 1873 and is believed to be a unique survivor from that batch.
Dimes from 1792, originally called “dismes”, are extremely rare too. Only three are known to collectors, with one exceptional specimen selling for nearly $999,000 in 2016. Deciding if a dime exceeds its face value can be challenging.
“Odd items are always set aside but that doesn’t make them rare or terribly valuable,”
says Dustin Johnson, vice president of numismatics at Heritage Auctions. Consulting with an expert is recommended if you suspect possessing a valuable coin or item.