1916 Barber Dime Value (2026 Guide): Errors List, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

The year 1916 marks a meaningful moment in U.S. numismatic history — it was the last year the Barber Dime was struck, closing out a design that had been in circulation since 1892.

That final-year status gives the 1916 Barber Dime value a special place among collectors who appreciate type coins and series completions. Both the Philadelphia and San Francisco issues are considered accessible and make great last-year type coins, which helps explain their steady collector appeal.

Whether you’re just starting out or adding to an existing collection, knowing what drives the 1916 Barber Dime value is a great first step. A well-circulated example typically starts around $11–$31, while coins in AU or Mint State condition can climb to $115 or well above $300 — grade and mint mark both playing a key role.

 

1916 Barber Dime Value By Variety

The table below breaks down the 1916 Barber Dime value by mint mark and grade. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Dimes Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1916 Barber Dime Worth Money

Auction records from 2005 to the present reveal just how much grade and condition can impact the 1916 Barber Dime’s worth at the top end of the market.

The high-value sales belong to top-tier Mint State examples. An MS67 1916-S reached $7,250, while an MS67+ Philadelphia issue came in close at $7,050, reflecting strong collector demand for coins in exceptional condition.

As grades step down, prices follow, but certified examples still hold meaningful value. MS66 and MS65 coins typically land in the low hundreds to around $4,000, depending on mint mark and eye appeal.

Even at the MS63 and MS64 level, well-preserved examples regularly sell in the $300–$500 range. For collectors at any budget, this chart makes one thing clear: grade matters more than almost anything else when it comes to auction performance.

 

History of the 1916 Barber Dime

The Barber Dime was born out of a growing desire for change in American coinage. By the late 1880s, the Seated Liberty design had been in use for over 50 years, and public criticism of its outdated look was mounting.

Mint Director Edward O. Leech commissioned a redesign competition, but invited artists refused to participate, leaving Chief Engraver Charles Barber to create the new design himself. The result debuted in 1892.

For the next two decades, the Barber Dime circulated through a rapidly changing America — an era of industrial growth, westward expansion, and rising global influence. The series reflects a transformative period in American history, passing through hands during the Spanish-American War, the dawn of the automobile age, and the early stirrings of World War I in Europe.

By 1916, the mood in America was shifting. The nation was undergoing significant political, social, and economic changes, and there was a growing desire to reflect a more progressive and artistic vision through its coinage.

As the legal 25-year minimum term for the design neared its end, calls for a replacement grew louder, and the Mercury Dime was introduced before the year was out. That transition makes the 1916 Barber Dime a genuinely meaningful closing chapter in the series.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Roosevelt Dimes Worth Money List (Year Chart)

 

Is Your 1916 Barber Dime Rare?

Check how your 1916 Barber Dime ranks in rarity instantly with our CoinValueChecker App.

 

Key Features of the 1916 Barber Dime

Knowing what to look for on each side of the coin helps you spot authentic examples, evaluate condition more confidently, and appreciate what makes certain varieties stand out.

The Obverse of the 1916 Barber Dime

The obverse presents a right-facing profile of Liberty, crowned with a Phrygian cap and a laurel wreath. A small headband across her forehead carries the word LIBERTY. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcs around the portrait, and the date 1916 sits at the base just beneath her neck truncation.

The Reverse of the 1916 Barber Dime

The reverse displays a wreath made up of oak, maple, corn, and wheat, bound together at the bottom with a ribbon. The denomination ONE DIME is prominently centered within the wreath. The mint mark, where present, appears at the very bottom of the design, just below the wreath bow — S for San Francisco, with no mark indicating Philadelphia.

Other Features of the 1916 Barber Dime

Here are additional features of the 1916 Barber Dime:

• Diameter: 17.90 millimeters
• Weight: 2.50 grams
• Edge: Reeded
• Metal Composition: 90% Silver and 10% Copper

Also Read: Top 70+ Most Valuable Mercury Dimes Worth Money (Chart By Year)

 

1916 Barber Dime Mintage & Survival Data

The 1916 Barber Dime was struck at two mints that year: Philadelphia (no mint mark) and San Francisco (S). The Philadelphia issue had a significantly larger production run at 18,490,000, while the San Francisco mint produced 5,820,000 coins — roughly a third of that figure.

Worth noting is how survival rates compare between the two. Despite its much smaller original production, the 1916-S shows a slightly higher survival rate of 0.3436%, compared to 0.2704% for the No Mint Mark issue.

Both rates are quite low overall, which reflects the heavy circulation these coins saw during their time. For collectors, that scarcity is exactly what makes well-preserved examples of either variety worth paying attention to.

Also Read: Roosevelt Dime Coin Value (1946-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1916 Barber Dime Value

Three key factors shape the 1916 Barber Dime value: the mint mark, the coin’s grade, and its overall condition. The mint mark tells you where the coin was produced, while the grade reflects how much wear and detail has survived over the past century.

Condition matters more than many collectors expect. Even a modest amount of wear can cause the word LIBERTY on Liberty’s headband to fade, which is the key detail used to distinguish Fine, Very Fine, and Extremely Fine grades.

Use the CoinValueChecker App to check your coin’s grade and get an instant value estimate in seconds.

 

1916 Barber Dime Value Guides

The 1916 Barber Dime was produced at two mints, each resulting in a distinct variety that collectors approach a little differently.

• 1916 No Mint Mark Barber Dime: struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this is the more accessible of the two varieties and a popular choice for type set collectors.
• 1916-S Barber Dime: produced at the San Francisco Mint, this variety carries a slight edge in rarity and tends to command higher prices in top grades.

Both varieties share the same classic Barber design, and each offers its own appeal depending on your collecting goals and budget.

 

1916 No Mint Mark Barber Dime Value

The 1916 No Mint Mark Barber Dime comes from the Philadelphia Mint and is one of the more approachable coins in the entire Barber Dime series. Mint State examples are quite plentiful, with hundreds certified across a wide range of grades — mostly MS63 through MS65 — making it a practical choice for collectors building a type set.

Quality still drives value in a meaningful way here. Only at MS67 does this coin become truly rare, and top-grade examples with original luster and sharp strikes are genuinely hard to find. A 1916 No Mint Mark example in MS67+ sold for $7,050 in December 2014, reflecting healthy collector demand for the finest survivors.

For coins at the lower end of the grade spectrum, the Philadelphia issue offers solid entry points without a steep price barrier, which is a practical advantage for newer collectors.

Take a look at the auction records below to see how this coin has played out across different grades.

The market activity chart gives you a sense of how collector interest in this coin has moved over the past year.

 

1916-S Barber Dime Value

Among the two 1916 Barber Dime varieties, the San Francisco issue carries a noticeably stronger collector profile. Its smaller production relative to the Philadelphia issue makes it scarcer in absolute terms, yet in most circulated grades the two varieties trade at similar prices — a dynamic worth keeping in mind when evaluating your options.

Certified examples are fairly accessible in MS63 and MS64, but the population drops off noticeably at MS65 and MS66, with only a couple of known examples reaching MS67. At the top end of the grade scale, coins with strong strikes and clean surfaces are genuinely hard to track down.

The auction record for the 1916-S stands at $7,250 for an MS67 example, a figure that reflects just how scarce truly pristine San Francisco coins are in today’s market.

The auction records below show what real buyers have paid for this variety at various points in time.

The market activity chart reflects how collector attention to this variety has changed in recent months.

Also Read: 16 Rare Dime Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1916 Barber Dime Error List

Not every 1916 Barber Dime came off the press perfectly, and the ones that didn’t can be surprisingly valuable. Because these coins were struck over a century ago using older collar molding techniques, a small number of striking errors have survived and been authenticated at major auctions.

1. Broadstrike Error

A broadstrike happens when the retaining collar fails during striking, allowing the metal to spread outward freely. The result is a coin that is wider and flatter than normal, with a noticeably distorted rim.

A broadstruck Barber Dime graded AU58 was valued at around $400, while an MS65 example was priced at $575. Condition plays a significant role here — the cleaner the surfaces and the more visible the design details, the stronger the premium a broadstrike example can command.

2. Off-Center Strike Error

An off-center strike occurs when the planchet is not seated correctly between the dies, leaving a blank, unstruck area on part of the coin’s surface. The error is measured by percentage — the greater the misalignment, the more visually distinct the coin.

A 1916-S Barber Dime struck 3% off center and graded AU58 appeared at Heritage Auctions. A 10% off-center example in the same grade sold for approximately $660. Whether the date is fully visible is one of the biggest factors affecting how much collectors are willing to pay.

 

Where to Sell Your 1916 Barber Dime?

Knowing your 1916 Barber Dime’s value is a great first step, but finding the right place to sell it matters just as much. We’ve put together a full breakdown of the best online selling platforms, complete with introductions, pros, and cons, so you can make the most informed decision possible.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1916 Barber Dime Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ about the 1916 Barber Dime

1. How much is a 1916 Barber Dime worth?

Value depends on mint mark, grade, and condition. A well-circulated example typically starts around $11–$31, while coins graded AU can reach $115. Top Mint State examples climb well above $300, and the finest certified specimens have sold for several thousand dollars at auction.

2. How do I know if my 1916 Barber Dime is the Philadelphia or San Francisco variety?

The Denver Mint did not strike any Barber Dimes in 1916, so your coin is either from Philadelphia or San Francisco. Check the reverse just below the wreath bow — an “S” indicates San Francisco, while no mint mark means Philadelphia.

3. Were any proof 1916 Barber Dimes made?

No proof dimes were minted in 1916. The previous year, 1915, was the last during which Barber Dime proof coins were produced. If someone is offering a “1916 Barber Dime proof,” approach it with caution.

4. What makes the 1916-S Barber Dime more desirable than the No Mint Mark version?

The 1916-S Barber Dime is popular as a last-year issue, yet common enough to be affordable. Its smaller production relative to Philadelphia makes it scarcer in absolute terms, and at the very top grades — MS67 — only a couple of examples are known, which drives stronger collector demand.

5. What grade does a 1916 Barber Dime need to be valuable?

Even circulated examples have collector value starting around $11. Only at MS67 does the 1916 Barber Dime become truly rare, with auction results reflecting that scarcity. Coins in MS63 to MS65 are the most commonly traded Mint State grades and represent a solid middle ground for collectors.

6. What does the word LIBERTY tell you about a 1916 Barber Dime’s grade?

The legibility of LIBERTY on Liberty’s headband is one of the most reliable grading indicators for this coin. Even a modest amount of wear can cause the word LIBERTY to fade, and its sharpness is the key detail used to distinguish Fine, Very Fine, and Extremely Fine grades. The clearer and more complete the lettering, the higher the grade — and generally, the more valuable the coin.

7. Is the 1916 Barber Dime a good coin for new collectors?

The 1916 Barber Dime is an excellent value for the collector of type coins, with Mint State examples quite plentiful and mostly found in MS63 to MS65. It offers an accessible entry point into classic early 20th-century U.S. silver coinage without requiring a large budget.

8. Does the 1916 Barber Dime contain real silver?

Yes. Like all Barber Dimes, the 1916 issue is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This silver content gives every example a base melt value, meaning even heavily worn coins are worth something regardless of collector grade.

9. Are there any known error coins for the 1916 Barber Dime?

Two types of striking errors have been documented and authenticated. Broadstrike errors, where the retaining collar fails and the coin spreads wider than normal, and off-center strikes, where the planchet is misaligned during striking, have both appeared at major auctions. A 10% off-center example graded AU58 sold for approximately $660.

10. Why did the 1916 Barber Dime get replaced?

By 1915, Mint officials began plans to replace the Barber design once its minimum 25-year term expired in 1916. The Mercury Dime, Standing Liberty Quarter, and Walking Liberty Half Dollar had all begun production before the year was out, marking a broader artistic refresh across U.S. silver coinage.