Most Expensive Dime

Rarity usually determines the value of a collectors’ item, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes the story behind the item sets its price. Such is the case with the 1894-S Barber Dime. Recently sold for $1.9 million, this Barber Dime is the most expensive dime in US history.

Barber, or “Liberty Head”, coinage was produced around the beginning of the 20th century and can be identified by the, well, Liberty head. The condition of the coin can be quickly assessed by the state of the word “liberty” written on her headband, as it tends to be the first bit to wear.

A Barber Dime

This particular Barber Dime is famous for the mystery surrounding its origin. Thought at first to be minted to make up a balance at the San Francisco Mint, the currently accepted story is that 24 of these coins were minted to be given to banker friends of the mint’s superintendent, John Daggett. Each of the seven bankers received three of the dimes while the last three were given to his daughter who, reportedly, spent one of them on ice cream. Collectors account for only nine of the expensive dimes.

The most expensive dime was sold by Oakland businessman Daniel Rosenthal to an anonymous buyer who does not, in fact, plan to spend the dime on ice cream. It was transported by a Virginia Beach coin dealer who didn’t eat, sleep or drink until the coin was in the hands of the buyer.

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