COINS: 1894-S Barber Dime, Branch Mint

Barber coins – so-called because they were designed by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber – were minted between 1892 and 1916. The San Francisco Mint struck nearly 2.5 million Barber dimes in 1893. An economic depression led to the cancellation of 1894 dimes at the San Francisco Mint, but not before 24 dime proofs were minted. Numismatic lore says the daughter of the San Francisco Mint’s superintendent used one of these dimes to buy ice cream. Today, no more than nine examples are known to collectors. One sold for nearly $2 million at a 2016 Heritage auction.