1913 Dime Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
The US Mint struck Barber dimes from 1892 to 1916, replacing the Seated Liberty dime (1837 to 1891). Since these coins are old, the number of uncirculated pieces is reduced in the coin market. Interestingly, you can still find numerous error pieces, and some survived proofs minted for collectors.
The 1913 dime value is relatively low for 130-year-old coins, particularly those in circulation condition. Only the first-class specimens are worth a few thousand dollars, while others cost $100 to $700 on average. Let’s take a look.
1913 Dime Value Chart |
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| Condition | 1913 No Mint mark dime | 1913 S Barber dime |
| Good | $4.23 | $40 |
| Very good | $4.55 | $63 |
| Fine | $5.18 | $141 |
| Very fine | $8.54 | $218 |
| Extra fine | $25 | $286 |
| AU | $84 | $357 |
| MS 60 | $121 | $559 |
| MS 63 | $257 | $910 |
| PR 63 | $658 | / |
1913 Barber Dime Value Guides
The total 1913 Barber dime mintage was 20,270,622, which was an impressive number for those times. You can find three coin types in the set, including regular coins and proofs from Philadelphia and pieces with the S mint mark struck in San Francisco.
1913 No Mint mart Barber dime Value
The 1913 Mo Mint mark Barber dime mintage was 19,760,000 pieces. Interestingly, their prices are far higher nowadays than their face value, despite the high number of minting coins
The reason is that these ten-cent coins are 110 years old. Those that spent decades in circulation with visible signs of wear typically cost $4 to $100, depending on the grade.
1913 Barber dime value |
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| Condition | 1913 No Mint mark dime | 1913 S Barber dime |
| Good | $4 to $5 | $27 to $38.40 |
| Very good | $4.23 to $5.20 | $40 to $78 |
| Fine | $4.83 to $7.60 | $101 to $150 |
| Very fine | $10 to $18 | $150 to $228 |
| Extra fine | $24 to $40.80 | $215 to $276 |
| AU | $55 to $102 | $260 to $516 |
| MS 60 | $110 to $132 | $600 to $720 |
| MS 61 | $120 to $144 | $650 to $780 |
| MS 62 | $135 to $162 | $750 to $900 |
| MS 63 | $155 to $186 | $1,050 to $1,260 |
| MS 64 | $180 to $216 | $1,600 to $1,920 |
| MS 65 | $300 to $360 | $2,100 to $2,520 |
| MS 66 | $500 to $700 | $2,500 to $3,000 |
| MS 67 | $1,500 to $1,900 | $5,000 to $5,800 |
On the other hand, well-preserved dimes minted this year in Philadelphia can reach $110 to $700 on the open market. On average, only scarce coins with an MS 67 rating are worth $1,500 to $1,900.
The most expensive 1913 Barber dime is in an MS 66+ grade. Despite a price estimation of $500 to $700, one collector purchased it for $3,055 in December 2014.
1913 proof Barber dime Value
The Philadelphia mint produced only 622 proof dimes in 1913, so you can expect surviving pieces to be expensive. Their price range is from $225 to $2,200, depending on quality and detail clearness.
Even though coins with cameo contrast minted this year are even more beautiful, their prices are similar to less attractive coins. In most cases, you should pay approximately $335 to $1,200 for these dimes, and only rare specimens with a PR 67 rating cost $1,750 to $2,200.
1913 proof Barber dime value |
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| Condition | 1913 PR dime | 1913 PR CAM dime |
| PR 60 | $225 to $293.25 | / |
| PR 61 | $275 to $316.25 | / |
| PR 62 | $315 to $362.25 | $335 to $385.25 |
| PR 63 | $375 to $431.25 | $440 to $506 |
| PR 64 | $500 to $575 | $540 to $621 |
| PR 65 | $675 to $800 | $750 to $862.50 |
| PR 66 | $950 to $1,100 | $975 to $1,200 |
| PR 67 | $1,550 to $2,200 | $1,750 to $2,200 |
The situation is even weirder with auction records. The most expensive 1913 PR 69 Barber dime was sold for $37,600 in August 2017, while the 1913 PR 67+ CAM Barber dime cost significantly lesser.
One collector paid $8,519 for this beautiful piece two months later, in October 2017. It proves how unpredictable auctions can be and the importance of gathering the right people at such events.
1913 S Barber dime Value
The San Francisco mint came up with 510,000 Barber dimes in 1913. These coins had the S letter placed below the bow on the coin reverse. Despite the years that have passed since minting, you can expect that most of these coins come with a minimal price.
On average, you should set aside about $30 to $500 for circulated dimes, but rare pieces in the mint state can come with higher prices. Most coins are worth $600 to $900, but those in the highest grades can cost $1,000 to $5,800 at auctions.
The most costly specimen in the set having the S mint mark is the dime in an MS 67 grade. Thanks to its attractiveness and unbelievable beauty, it reached $10,925 at Heritage Auctions in June 2005 and became a dream for most collectors.
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1913 Barber Dime Errors
The 1913 Barber dimes come without significant errors, so you can only limit your collection to coins from a regular strike. In fact, the entire series seems to be perfectly struck, and the only varieties you should consider are:
- 1893/2 No Mint mark Barber dime
- 1905 O micro O Barber dime
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History of the 1913 Barber dime
Besides Barber dimes, the Barber coinage era also included Barber quarters and Barber half dollars. The US Mint began dime production in 1892 and stopped with this design in 1916.
In that period, four mints struck these coins made of 90 percent silver, including:
- Philadelphia (1892 to 19016)
- San Francisco (1892 to 19016)
- New Orleans (1892 to 1909)
- Denver (1906 to 1914)
In 1916, these coins went to history to give way to the Mercury dimes.
1913 Barber dime |
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| Location | Year | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 1913 No Mint mark dime | 19,760,000 |
| Philadelphia | 1913 proof dime | 622 |
| San Francisco | 1913 S dime | 510,000 |
| Total | / | 20,270,622 |
The pressure to change the Seated Liberty design became too strong in the late 1880s. Therefore, then-Mint Director Kimball discussed the inferiority of American coinage in his annual report in 1887.
Based on then-Senator Morill’s introduction of a bill, Congress allowed the Treasury Department to re-design coinage after 25 years of use without permission.
Believe it or not, sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was convinced that only four men worldwide were competent enough to do such a re-design. However, Kimball disapproved of the possibility of hiring foreigners for work of national importance.
Soon after, his successor Leech organized a competition for the new coin design. Since invited artists refused to participate because they found the competition terms unfair, chief engraver Charles E. Barber took over that task.
He only modified the sizable Lady Liberty’s head depicted on the Morgan dollars, cut her hair, and simplified a cap on her head. Plus, he added his initial on the neck truncation. That was all about the obverse!
He put even less effort into the reverse design, so it stayed almost the same as on the Seated Liberty dime. On the other hand, he knew much about designing coins capable of withstanding the high speed of the new press machine model. A chosen low relief made his solution excellent.
Then-President Benjamin Harrison was delighted with the new coin design and approved it in November 1891. On the other hand, artists and the public didn’t agree on the beauty of the conceptual solution.
Nevertheless, the first Barber dimes were released into circulation on 2nd January 1892. During the quarter century of minting, the US Mint released about half a billion dimes in 74 regular issues, including scarce 1894 S dimes.
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How to Identify the 1913 Barber Dime?
The 1913 Barber dimes contain 90% silver, while the rest of the alloy is copper. As you can see, their composition includes two valuable metals, meaning these coins will always be worth money regardless of their condition.
The obverse of the 1913 Barber dime
The Chief Engraver Charles Barber created these coins containing Lady Liberty on the obverse, but he was not very original. If you know something about French coins and medals, you can notice the similarity with this American coinage.
Experts believe that Barber found inspiration in Greco-Roman sculptures, but he mostly imitated styles of previous coins. As you can see, Lady Liberty wears a laurel wreath wrapped around her Phrygian cap, while the designer placed the word LIBERTY on the headband attached to her hair.
The country’s name, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, frames the whole composition, while the DATE is struck below the neck truncation. Even the coin edge is atypical, with beautiful reeds along the rim.
The reverse of the 1913 Barber dime
The central reverse position is reserved for the denomination ONE DIME. This simple but elegant coin side also contains a wreath made of entwined maple and oak leaves with added wheat stalks and corn. A lovely ribbon ties the wreath on the bottom, and you can see the letter S in coins struck in San Francisco.
1913 Barber dime |
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| Face value | Ten cents ($0.10) |
| Shape | Round |
| Compound | Barber dimes contain silver (90%), with the rest copper |
| Coin thickness | 1.35 mm (0.05315 inches) |
| Coin diameter | 17.91 mm (0.70512 inches) |
| Silver content weight | 2.25 g (0.07234 troy ounces) |
| Coin weight | 2.50 g (0.080377 troy ounces) |
| Edge | Reeded |
Other features of the 1913 Barber dime
The 1913 Barber dimes are ten-cent round coins with a reeded edge that contain 90% silver. The rest of the alloy is copper, meaning they contain two valuable metals.
The total coin weight is 2.50 g (0.080377 troy ounces), while the share of silver is 2.25 g (0.07234 troy ounces). Each of these pieces comes with a diameter of 17.91 mm (0.70512 inches) and is thick 1.35 mm (0.05315 inches).
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Collectability
All silver Barber dimes are highly collectible nowadays, but the most desirable are scarce:
- Any of ten surviving 1894 S Barber dimes of 24 ever-minted
- 1895 O Barber dime
The best way to start the collection is to concentrate on certified and precisely graded coins. You can also assemble the collection by buying pieces by the year and mint mark and fulfill a Dansco book. Finally, you can purchase Barber dime rolls in circulated condition, but it can be pretty expensive.
Remember that finding pieces in uncirculated condition can be challenging and sometimes even impossible without a really high budget. Luckily, common dates in Good to AU grades are abundant, so you can effortlessly find them on the open market.
Believe it or not, you can complete a set in G4 grade for less than $1500. However, the collection will be without a few semi-key dates, and more quality pieces will cost you more.
Plus, there are proofs minted from 1892 to 1915. Since they were produced for collectors only, they are still in perfect condition nowadays and an excellent addition to every collection.
What makes a 1913 Barber dime rare?
Since the 1913 Barber dimes are old coins, only rare pieces still exist in the highest grades. Therefore, you can expect the best-preserved pieces to be valuable and cost thousands of dollars.
Which 1913 Barber dime is worth a lot of money?
- 1913 PR 69 Barber dime – $37,600 (August 2017, Heritage Auctions)
- 1913 S MS 67 Barber dime – $10,925 (June 2005, Heritage Auctions)
- 1913 PR 67+ CAM Barber dime – $8,519 (October 2017, LRC Auctions)
- 1913 MS 66+ Barber dime – $3,055 (December 2014, LRC Auctions)
How much is 1913 No Mint mark Barber dime worth?
These ten-cent coins are 110 years old, and pieces with visible signs of wear are worth $4 to $100. On the other hand, well-preserved dimes are valuable, and you should set aside $110 to $1,900 per one, depending on quality.