1909-S 10C MS65 Certification #18319568, PCGS #4853

Mintage: 1,000,000; Weight: 2.5 grams; Composition: .900 silver, .100 copper; Diameter: 17.9 mm; Reeded Edge; Designer: Charles E. Barber ===== Purchased from Heritage Long Beach U.S. Coin Auction #1140 – June 2010. The 1909-S is a surprisingly scarce issue in the Barber Dime series in spite of a mintage of an even one million pieces. Many pieces are weakly struck and do not show full details. This present example shows some soft detailing on Liberty’s forecurls and overall softness on the leaves in the wreath. The coin has bright and frosted luster, however, and there are no mentionable abrasions that interrupt the flow of luster around each side. While there is considerable brightness and even some original brilliance still to be seen, each side also displays speckled multicolored golden, rose, and blue toning. The 1909-S Barber Dime was the final coin I acquired in completing my 1909 Mint Set exclusive of the gold issues.

Ron Guth

The 1909-S Dime is the most valuable of the 1909 Dimes by just a small margin (over the 1909-D).  The largest certified population is in MS64.  Above that, the number of MS65's drops off dramatically, MS66's are equally rare, and MS67's are fewer than the number of fingers on one hand.

The strike quality of the 1909-S Dime can be slightly mushy, so keep an eye open for fully struck examples (paying particular attention to the leaf structure on the lower reverse).  Positive eye appeal is always appreciated and there are some lovely, high-end coins with great color.  The PCGS MS67 illustrated above (formerly in Bob Simpson's collection) is particularly attractive.