Coin Value Contents Table
Are you building your Barber Dime collection and are curious about the 1904 dime? Our guide on the 1904 dime value will help! You will learn about this coin’s history, features that set it apart, tips for accurately grading your dime, and minting errors in the series that are worth premium prices.
Although the 1904 dime is a common date, it is still an important component when completing a Barber dime collection. These coins are generally well-struck and preserved examples often command premium prices.
Whether you are a seasoned collector or new to the hobby, our guide will help you make an informed decision on whether the 1904 dime is worth collecting. If you happen to own one of these old coins, you will learn about how much you can realistically expect, were you to sell it, depending on the coin’s condition.
Ready to learn more? Let’s find out just how much is a 1904 dime worth?
1904 Dime Value Chart |
||||
Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
1904-No Mint Mark Dime Value | $3 | $7 | $40 | $4000 |
1904-S Dime Value | $65 | $190 | $365 | $10,000 |
1904 Proof Dime Value | – | – | – | $4000 |
History of the 1904 Dime
The 1904 dime is part of the iconic Barber Coinage series, minted from 1892 to 1916. Named after U.S. Chief Engraver, Charles E. Barber, the series included the half dollar, quarter, and dime, all of which spotted Lady Liberty’s right-facing profile on the obverse and laurel wreath on the reverse.
Following widespread public dissatisfaction with the long-running Seated Liberty coins, the United States Mint tasked Barber with designing new coins that would embody 20th century design trends. The new coins would also portray America’s journey from the Gilded Age to the World War I and subsequently, the Industrial Age
Although the 1904 dime is not a key date, it is still of interest to collectors looking to build a complete Barber Dime collection. The relatively low mintage compare to subsequent years also makes this coin quite rare to find in Mint State today.
Production of the 1904 dime took place at two locations: Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints. The Philadelphia Mint released regular strikes and a handful of extremely rare proof coins. Collectors are particularly keen on acquiring high-grade 1904 San Francisco dime (1904-S) due to its notably low mintage.
All in all, the 1904 Barber dime is a must-have for any serious collector. Seeking out coins with sharp details in the obverse and reverse can be challenging but equally rewarding.
Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money
1904 Dime Grading
# | Grade |
---|---|
1 | Basal State-1 |
2 | Fair |
3 | Very Fair |
4, 5, 6 | Good |
7, 8, 10 | Very Good |
12, 15 | Fine |
20, 30 | Very Fine |
40 | Extremely Fine |
50 | About Uncirculated |
60 | Mint State |
65 | Mint State |
70 | Mint State |
When grading the 1904 Barber dime, the goal is to identify signs of wear especially on high contact points. Mint State dimes are desirable and these typically show little to no sign of wear.
Here are some grading tips to keep in mind:
- Examine strike quality: Pay attention to details such as Liberty’s headband, hair, and facial features for sharpness. On the reverse, examine the wreath leaves and the inscription, ONE DIME—one Mint State dimes, these should be well-defined with no signs of smoothing.
- Pay attention to wear: Mint State dimes will show minimal or almost no wear, especially on high points such as Liberty’s cheek and hair on the obverse and the wreath on the reverse.
- Assess the luster: Well-preserved 1904 dimes are scarce but can fetch good money. Look out for coins with original luster in the form of even, unbroken shine.
- Look at the surface: Imperfection such as dings, scratches and breakages can lower the coin’s value. Mint State dimes with none of these flaws will usually grade higher. That said, look out for minting errors as these have the opposite effect and will potentially increase the coin’s value.
If you want more help with grading, check out our grading guide on grading Barber Dimes. It covers everything using from using the Sheldon Scale to examine details, to assessing luster, and evaluating errors.
Check out now: How to Grade Barber Dime?
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Features of the 1904 Dime
Familiarizing yourself with features of the 1904 dime, you can improve your ability to spot high-quality or rare Barber Dimes.
Here’s what to look out for:
Obverse of 1904 Dime
The obverse of the 1904 Barber dime features Lady Liberty’s left-facing profile adorned in a brimless cap, a wreath, and a headband with the inscriptions LIBERTY etched on it.
The word UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surround Liberty’s profile while the date, 1904, appears at the bottom
Reverse of the 1904 Dime
The reverse design is equally simple, showcasing a wreath of corn, wheat, and oak leaves tied together.
The coin’s denomination, ONE DIME, appear prominently in the center.
Other Features of the 1904 Dime
Additional noteworthy features of the 1904 Barber dime include:
- Diameter:90 millimeters
- Weight:50 grams
- Edge: Reeded with denticles around the rim
- Metal composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Mercury Dimes Worth Money
1904 Dime Value Guides
So, how much is the 1904 dime worth? The value of your Barber dime will depend on factors such as the coin’s condition, mintage and rarity, and mint mark. Due to their silver content and relative rarity, 1904 dimes are generally worth more than their face value.
There are three varieties of 1904 Barber dimes. These are:
- 1904 No-Mint Mark Dime
- 1904-S Dime
- 1904 Proof Dime
Let’s look at how much each variety is worth.
1904-No Mint Mark Dime Value
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The Philadelphia Mint had the highest dimes mintage in 1904, releasing about 14, 600,000 dimes. This was a relatively high mintage in the Barber Dimes series, which explains whey this coin is not a key date.
Circulated examples are generally easy to find in relatively good condition given the high-quality strike typical of coins from the Philadelphia Mint.
A 1904 dime in Mint State is a noticeably scarce and sought-after collectible. Only a few known pieces are graded MS66 and even fewer have attained an M68 rating.
Here’s what to expect in terms of the value of a 1904-no mint mark dime:
- Circulated Examples: Dimes graded as Poor/Average are worth about $2 while one rated as Extra Fine (XF) will fetch up to $40. An example rated About Uncirculated (AU) will fetch as much as $90.
- Mint State: Due to their rarity, 1904 dimes in Mint State often command premium prices. For example, one graded MS60 will bring in up to $120 while an MS63 is worth about $220. Gem-quality specimens in this series are extremely scarce with those graded MS66 commanding up to $4,000.
- Auction Record: In 2003, Heritage Auctions sold a 1904 dime graded MS66 for a remarkable $5,980, according to Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) records.
1904-S Dime Value
Let’s look at the coveted 1904 dime from San Francisco. The Mint released only 800,000 dimes in 1904, one of the lowest mintages in the entire Barber Dimes series.
Today, the 1904-S dime is quite elusive especially in higher Mint State. That said, circulated examples are well struck and are still a worthwhile addition to your collection, with pieces fetching significantly more than face value.
Here’s how much to expect from a 1904-S dime:
- Circulated Examples: Circulated 1904-S dimes will fetch between $22 for pieces graded Poor/Average to as much as $750 for dimes graded as About Uncirculated (AU). Even with a relatively worn piece, you can still expect more than face value.
- Mint State: Dimes in Mint State are few and apart although advanced collectors may still be able to access these coins. Even in lower graded Mint State examples will command a premium, for example, you can expect as much as $1300 for dimes graded MS62 and as much as $10,000 for one rated MS66.
- Auction Record: A collector paid an impressive $11,163 in 2014 at a Heritage Auctions sale for a MS66 1904-S dime.
1904 Proof Dime Value
In addition to minting regular dimes, the Philadelphia Mint also struck proof coins in 1904. Only 607 1904 proof coins were released, making these coins extremely scarce, especially in higher graded.
That said, the sale of 1904 proof dimes hasn’t been as impressive as that of previous years. This might be attributed to collectors’ sentiments after being disappointed by the quality of proof coins starting in 1902.
That said, a 1904 proof dime will still fetch premium prices and is a prized addition to any collection.
Here’s what to expect:
- Lower Grade: Proof 1904 dimes graded PR60 will command as much as $300 while a PR64 can bring in as much as $925.
- Upper Grade: Proof dimes graded MS65 are quite rare and will fetch as much as $1400. Gem-quality cameo and deep cameo pieces are extremely rare and can command premium prices of as much as $4,000 for pieces graded PR67.
- Auction Record: In 2015, Heritage Auctions sold a 1904 proof dime graded PR68 for a remarkable $8,225,
Rare 1904 Dime Errors List
The 1904 dimes are already quite valuable but some can command higher prices due to the presence of minting errors. Here are some of the most common errors that come up in the 1904 dime series:
1. 1904-S Die Clash Dime Error
A die clash occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike against each other without a planchet between them.
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The clashing causes the dies to transfer parts of their design elements onto each other so that there are faint, ghost-like images appearing on both sides of the coin. For example, you might see part of the wreath from the reverse side appearing on Lady Liberty’s portrait on the obverse side.
Depending on the coin’s condition, such an error can fetch up to $600. In 2014, a collector paid $675 for a 1904-S dime graded MS64 with a die clash error.
2. 1904-No Mint Mark Re-punched Date Dime Error
As the name suggests, a re-punched date error occurs when the die stamps the date onto a planchet more than once. This can happen when a mint worker realizes that the first strike is not strong and therefore re-punches the date at a lightly different position, resulting a visible doubling.
On a 1904 Barber dime, the re-punched date error is most visible on the digits 1 and 9, an indication of a misaligned die during the minting process. Re-punched date errors are unusual and rare, increasing their demand among collectors.
In 2008, Heritage Auctions sold a 1904-no mintmark dime graded MS62 with a re-punched date error for an impressive $580.
3. 1904-S Struck-through Dime Error
Another high-value minting error to look out for is the struck-through. This error occurs when foreign objects such as tiny metal pieces, dust, pieces of cloth, hair strands, or grease enter the coining hub and get struck between the die and planchet.
When the foreign item gets in the way during the minting process, it prevents the die from fully transferring the design elements to the planchet. This creates blurry spots on the coin or the item leaves a dramatic impression of itself on the coin’s surface.
The presence of these foreign elements can increase the value of the coin. For example, in 2018 Heritage Auctions sold a 1904-S dime graded MS60 with a struck-through dime error for an impressive $950, making this a worthwhile addition to your collection.
Also read: 13 Most Valuable Dime Errors Worth Money
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Where to Sell Your 1904 Barber Dime?
Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons.
Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)
FAQs
How can I identify a genuine 1904 dime?
Because of their relatively rarity and the popularity of Barber coins, 1904 dimes are often prone to counterfeiting. The 1904-S dime is particularly a counterfeiters’ favorite. To check that a 1904 dime is genuine, pay attention to design elements such as Liberty’s portrait and the wreath on the reverse—these should have sharp, clean, distinct details.
Are 1904 Barber dimes rare?
Barber dimes minted in 1904 are relatively rare due to their comparatively low mintage. Mint State examples are particularly rare and highly sought after by collectors.
Is the 1904 dime a good investment?
Yes. The 1904 dime can be a worthwhile investment when building your Barber dime collection. Pay attention to high-grade varieties or error coins, which often command premium prices and their values appreciates over time.
What are common conditions for a 1904 dime?
Most 1904 dimes are lower-grade coins rated as Good (G) to Extremely Fine (XF). Mint State specimens are rare and more valuable.