68
|
Dimes
G
EM
U
NC
1895 B
ARBER
D
IME
Enlargement
353
1895
.
PCGS graded MS-67 PQ.
CAC Approved
. A fully
white gem. Tied for finest graded at PCGS. The 1895 is the
rarest Philadelphia Mint issued Barber dime. Only 690,000
business strikes were made. The coin has long been consid-
ered a semi-key date within the series which ran from 1892
until 1916. Possibly fewer than one hundred are known
today in the various Uncirculated grades. And like other
scarce-date Barber Dimes, Mint State survivors appear to
be bunched in a group where MS63-64 coins predominate.
The streaming white luster is satiny and consistent. A well
struck and swirling Superb Gem that has carefully pre-
served surfaces. This year is rarely seen at coin shows in
even minimal BU grades, let alone looking as if it had just
landed in the collection bin from the minting press! That
said, we next cover a key feature, the strike: this 1895
MS67, unlike many Barber Dimes (and especially those
from the branch mints), was struck with almost scientific
precision on the portrait and leaves, the headband with its
strong LIBERTY, and all legends. The wreath on the
reverse, which follows closely the one designed by Lon-
gacre for the Seated coinage but in updated form on the
Barber dime, is itself carefully struck, with no suggestion or
even a whisper of weakness. Razor-sharp, in other words.
Pop 4; none finer at PCGS
. (
PCGS # 4806
)
Estimated Value .................................... $25,000 - 30,000
G
EM
W
HITE
1897-O B
ARBER
D
IME
354
1897-O
.
PCGS graded MS-66
. Fully white and frosty.
This issue began its existence with silvery white luster, and
there it remains, a thing of incredible beauty! Mint produc-
tion was only 666,000 pieces. Virtually all 1897-O dimes
crossed the Treasury Department’s threshold into circula-
tion, where they were either lost or reduced to well worn
states of decay. In addition to its Condition Census status,
the present example is simply a knock-out coin. Both sides
are richly frosted and display satin silver iridescence.
Almost entirely distraction-free with eye appeal to spare.
Pop 10; 5 finer, 4 in 67, 1 in 67+
. (
PCGS # 4813
)
Note: The basic obverse design of the Barber silver coinage
consisted of a Liberty head with a cap and wreath. This fig-
ure was inspired both by classical Greek and Roman models
and by the designs of various 19th-century French coinage.
The word "LIBERTY" appeared on the headband in incuse;
since it wears relatively quickly in circulation, it is often
used by numismatists to help determine the condition of
circulated coins. The Liberty head is flanked by UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA. The date is centered below the fig-
ure.
Estimated Value ........................................ $5,000 - 5,500
355
1900
.
NGC graded Proof 67 Cameo
. A blazing white Gem
Cameo Proof. Only 912 minted. This lustrous example of an oth-
erwise high circulation-strike mintage date, is downright elusive
as a high-end Proof, particularly one so spectacular and superb
as this lovely Proof 67. Untoned and only nearly perfectly pre-
served; excellent silver color. Strong cameo contrast between
fields and frosted device. Almost everyone likes to seek a coin
that was struck with precision and care by the dies in the outer
margins and on all legends -- that you'd expect; here too, the
inner designs were also left crisply detailed by the imprint of the
Proof dies.
Pop 10; 3 finer in 68
.
Estimated Value ..............................................$2,100 - 2,200
356
1900
.
PCGS graded Proof 66.
CAC Approved
. Lovely blue
and golden toning. Only 912 minted. A pleasant Gem Proof
example swooning with mirror depth under the toning. One
would be hard put to add more about the mint bloom since the
picture is worth a thousand words. As for the strike, this Proof
was struck with technical exactness throughout.
Pop 24; 13
finer, 1 in 66+, 10 in 67, 1 in 67+, 1 in 66
. (
PCGS #
4884
)
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,600 - 1,700
