Finest Known 1894-S Barber Dime leads Heritage FUN Platinum Night offerings

by Coin Dealer | May 8 | Coin Shows

Offered Jan. 6-8, at Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Convention in Tampa; PR 66 PCGS CAC ex: Eliasberg, makes only its fourth auction appearance in history

DALLAS – An 1894-S Barber Dime, Branch Mint PR66 PCGS CAC, the finest known survivor, will offer one collector a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own one of the most famous, mysterious and elusive coins in American numismatics when it comes to auction on Thursday, Jan. 7, as the centerpiece of Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night offerings at the FUN Convention in Tampa, FL.

This is just the fourth auction appearance in history of this celebrated rarity

“The 1894-S Barber dime is a classic in American coinage,” said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. “This legendary coin is often grouped with the 1804 dollar and the 1913 Liberty nickel as ‘The Big Three’ of U.S. coin rarities. It has been the stuff of collector dreams since it was first mentioned in the numismatic press by Augustus Heaton in 1900.”

Only 24 Barber dimes were struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1894, apparently in order to balance a bullion account. No more than nine – and possibly only eight – examples of the 1894-S are known to collectors today, with this coin being the finest survivor certified by PCGS.

Many collectors in Tampa will have their eye on the 1870-S Silver Dollar XF40 PCGS, ex: Ostheimer-Gardner, the fourth finest known example of this landmark rarest regular issue silver dollar, that will be on offer, as well as a storied error issue in the form of a 1943-S 1C Struck on a Bronze Planchet AU55 PCGS Secure, the third finest graded at PCGS and the third-finest of six confirmed examples.

Topping the gold offerings at FUN are an 1849-C G$1 Open Wreath MS62 PCGS Secure, Ex: Richmond Collection, the finest-known specimen and one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the U.S. gold series, along with an 1804 Quarter Eagle, 13 Stars Reverse, AU55 PCGS Secure CAC, the second finest known example of the exceedingly rare BD-1 Variety.

Further highlights include, but certainly are not limited to:

1792 Fusible Alloy Cent VF35 PCGS Secure CAC, Ex: Simpson

1861 Original CSA Cent MS64+ PCGS Secure CAC, Ex: Simpson: Probably the finest known

1943 Cent Struck on a Bronze Planchet AU58 PCGS Secure CAC, Ex: Simpson

1792 Half Disme MS62 PCGS Secure, Ex: Simpson

1792 Disme Fine 15 NGC

Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of approximately $900 million, and 950,000+ online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.

Follow us on HA.com/Facebook and HA.com/Twitter. To view an archive of Heritage press releases go to: HA.com/PR. To link to this press release on your blog or Website: HA.com/PR-2879.