1903 Barber Dime

For a coin that was once worth no more than ten cents, it is hard to believe the type of prices people pay for coins like the 1903 Barber Dime. Very few of these coins have survived the more than hundred year journey to today, and as a result, collectors are willing to shell out a lot of money for them. Even in poor condition, these coins are a prize in the eyes of the collector.

Unfortunately for many, these coins were so popular when they were produced that not many of them have survived the years in such great shape. Having been circulated heavily, these coins often come battered and damaged. This is why you will see collectors paying large amounts of money for Barber Dimes in excellent condition.

Grading the 1903 Barber Dime

When it comes to collectors purchasing coins as old as the 1903 Mercury Dime, the first thing that is always looked at is the coin’s condition. Overall, collectors will closely examine the coins looking for any major blemishes, but will be paying close attention to minor imperfections as well.

Normally, having a coin’s condition judged is something reserved for grading companies, of which many exist. Knowing that not everyone has the time and money to send their coins away for grading, we have listed below some of the characteristics that are tied to Barber Dimes of specific grades.

Uncirculated: In Uncirculated condition, Barber Dimes are in the best possible shape, especially for how old they are. These coins were taken directly from the production line and kept in safekeeping as to avoid any damage. As you might have guessed, these coins and their perfect condition are exactly what most every collector is looking for.

Extremely Fine: A coin graded to be Extremely Fine is one that only saw a limited amount of time in circulation. These coins will show some signs of their being exchanged over the years, but these blemishes will be few and far between and only visible under very close inspection. All in all, these coins are close to being in pristine condition.

Fine: To receive this grade, the coin in question will have definitely spent some time in circulation, but not a very large amount of time. Showing a good amount of damage, the poor condition of these coins as a result of circulation is apparent almost immediately. The most common type of imperfection found on these coins is the smoothing of the images and inscriptions.

Good: Good is the grade given to Barber Dimes that are in absolutely horrid condition. Thanks to decade upon decade of circulation, these coins have suffered a lot of damage and may even be bent and heavily chipped. Though collectors do look for these coins, they are not the most sought after of the 1903 Barber Dimes.

Pricing the 1903 Barber Dime

When it comes to giving coins that are nearly a century old a price, you have to take into consideration a few different factors. For the 1903 Mercury Dime, the first factor is the type of coin it is. Because multiple types of Dimes were produced most years, this is the first factor that will affect price. Secondly, the overall condition of the coin will heavily impact the price. Collectors want the coins that have been well-preserved, so those are the ones that will sell for high prices. The chart below should give you a good idea of what the cost of a graded 1903 Mercury Dime will be if you are given the coin’s type.

Barber Dimes

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1903 Barber Dime	$4	$6	$25	$75
1903 Barber Dime (O)	$5	$14	$55	$110
1903 Barber Dime (S)	$85	$350	$700	$850
Source: Red Book