Semi-Numismatic

1898 Barber Dime VF

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Struck in 90% silver at the Philadelphia Mint, this ten-cent piece from 1898 belongs to the celebrated Barber series. The coin contains 0.0715 troy ounces of precious metal, representing a standard era of American silver coinage before 1933. Designed by Charles Barber, the coin showcases a distinct neoclassical aesthetic that defined late nineteenth-century United States currency. The obverse presents the profile of Lady Liberty, adorned with a laurel wreath and a Phrygian cap. On this Very Fine specimen, the outer rim remains complete, though the word Liberty is not visible on her headband. Surrounding her portrait is the bold inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with the year 1898 positioned at the bottom. On the reverse, a traditional agricultural wreath encircles the denomination, which is simply stated as ONE DIME. The outer rim on this side may show a slight weakness, a common characteristic for a coin that circulated in daily commerce. This piece offers a fascinating look at the everyday coinage that kept the American economy moving at the turn of the twentieth century.