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- Product ID: 14931
During the time the Barber Dime was in circulation, there were 4 different mints producing the highly collectible coins and known as the golden age in coin minting. Unfortunately, only 2 of those mints still stand today but the others offer an interesting look into coin production history. Among these mints was the New Orleans Mint, also known as the Old Mint. The Old Mint mainly depended on the success of the Morgan's production so much that when the Morgan's production stopped, the Old Mint was decommissioned shortly after. The New Orleans Mint's building as been used as a fallout shelter, an assay office, and a storage facility for the US Coast Guard. It is now considered a national landmark, and is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the US. The 1903-O Barber Dime was minted at the very first mint in the US and has a higher mintage for the New Orleans Mint, of over 8 million. Considered to be in good condition, the 1903-O contains large amounts of wear with no intricate detailing but still has a readable date.
The Barber series replaced the Seated Liberty coinage, by preference of the Mint Director, Edward Leech. After a failed attempt to offer a friendly competition among local artists, Leech resorted to Chief Engraver, William Barber, to come up with the design. Barber's design extended to the dime, quarter, and half dollar; being one of the only coin designs to serve on all currency. Liberty is wearing a Grecian leaf cap, on the obverse, as the reverse features the nation's seal. The Barber Dime is the only Barber coin to not showcase the heraldic eagle, holding the shield, on its reverse. The dime solely features just the coin's monetary denomination.