A dime is rare these days, but one unusual dime costs 2.5 million dollars to deposit in your change jar. Bullion Shark reports that the 1894-S Barber Dime sold at auction for a record $2.5 million, the highest figure for this piece. The 1894-S Barber Dime sells for a lot, but collectors want other rare dime too.
Since 1796, the U.S. Mint has produced dimes as American currency, utilizing genuine silver as a key component. From 1796 to 1837, dimes featured an eagle and lady liberty.
countless coins, including dimes, changed in production and design over time, resulting in countless variations that sent coin collectors on the quest for years.
Coin values rise for several causes. Today's 10 cents could be worth thousands or millions tomorrow. Some coins feature multiple dies, striking mistakes, or no U.S. Mint seal. Some are significant because they were the first American coins made with gold and other precious metals.
Why is the 1894-S Barber Dime worth millions? Only 24 have been struck at the San Francisco Mint, and only nine are in circulation. The scarce 1894-S Barber Dime is one of the most costly US coins and one of the toughest to find.
One 1894-S Barber Dime sold for $825,000 before the turn of the century, attracting collectors and non-collectors. In the following years, auction houses and other dealers saw record sales, raising the value and price.
A 2005 1894-S Barber Dime sold for $1,035,000, another for $1.3 million, and a 2007 one sold for $1.9 million, according to Most Expensive Coin.
One of the finest 1894-S Barber Dimes, rated Proof 66, sold for approximately $2 million at Heritage auction in 2016. In January 2025, an 1894-S 10C Branch Mint PR66 PCGS broke that record by adding half a million to the final price.
Despite their diminutive size and value, dimes may be worth more than ten cents. Some international coins are worth more than they were originally made, so check your wallets, piggy banks, and couch cushions for uncommon coins that could pay you.