A 1904-S graded MS66 CAC sold for $11,163 at Heritage Auctions. The scarce San Francisco issue — just 800,000 minted — commands strong premiums at every grade. Even a worn Philadelphia example beats face value many times over. Find out exactly what yours is worth.
Use this table for a quick overview of what each variety is worth across all major grades. For a complete step-by-step walkthrough with photos, the full illustrated 1904 Barber dime identification guide covers every grade tier in detail. Prices below are drawn from PCGS, NGC, and Heritage Auctions data — see the notes for the 1904-S row, which highlights this semi-key date.
| Variety | Worn (G-4 to VG) | Circulated (VF-EF) | About Uncirculated | Mint State (MS60+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1904 Philadelphia No Mint Mark |
$11 – $15 | $15 – $62 | $73 – $140 | $170 – $6,250+ |
| 1904-S San Francisco Semi-Key Date ★ |
$55 – $180 | $190 – $475 | $500 – $980 | $1,080 – $20,000+ |
| 1904 Proof Philadelphia PR |
— | — | — | $320 – $14,500 (PR60–PR68) |
| 1904 Proof Cameo Rarest ✦ |
— | — | — | $360 – $10,100+ (CAM) |
★ 1904-S highlighted — semi-key date, only 800,000 minted. ✦ Proof Cameo — only the earliest die impressions qualify; population is extremely limited. Values based on PCGS and NGC price guide data.
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Most 1904 Barber dimes left the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints without significant anomalies — but a small number carry production mistakes that dramatically increase their value. The four varieties below represent the most collectible errors and varieties in the 1904 Barber dime series. Each card includes exactly what to look for, where the variety originates, and what similar examples have fetched in the market. Use a 10× loupe for any die-level examination.
A broadstrike error results when the retaining collar — the steel ring that constrains the planchet during striking — is absent or fails to engage properly. Without the collar, the coin spreads outward under striking pressure, producing a wider-than-normal flan with a characteristic thinning and spreading of design elements toward the rim.
On the 1904-S broadstrike, the coin's diameter exceeds the standard 17.90 mm, and the rim is incomplete or absent on some portions. The design details are present but distorted near the edges; Liberty's portrait and the wreath spread outward rather than sitting within a normal boundary. The "S" mint mark may appear slightly displaced or flattened compared to a normal struck coin.
The 1904-S was already scarce with only 800,000 business strikes. When a dramatic production anomaly compounds that scarcity, the result commands significant collector attention. Heritage Auctions offered a 1904-S broadstrike in PCGS MS62 in its April 2022 Error Coinage sale, confirming the variety's numismatic standing. Even lower-grade broadstrike examples on this date sell well above standard catalog values for the same grade.
A die clash error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other directly — without a planchet between them. The force of the impact transfers a mirror-image impression of each die into its opposing face. PCGS numismatist Ron Guth noted that some 1904 Barber dimes show evidence of clashing, confirming this as a documented occurrence for the date.
On a 1904 dime with die clash, look carefully in the obverse fields — particularly in the open area between Liberty's neck and the date — for faint incuse outlines of the reverse wreath. On the reverse, the corresponding obverse details (Liberty's cap or portrait edge) may ghost into the center fields. Stronger clashes are visible to the naked eye; minor ones require a 10× loupe.
Die clash severity ranges from barely perceptible to dramatically obvious. A coin with clearly visible clash marks on both sides commands the strongest premium. Collectors prize die clashes because they are authentic mint-created anomalies that tell the story of the coin's production, and a strong clash on a 1904 Philadelphia issue is visually striking against the otherwise clean fields.
In the pre-hubbing era of U.S. coinage, dates were punched individually into each working die. If the punch slipped, was repositioned, or was struck twice, it created a repunched date — a die-level variety showing multiple impressions of one or more numerals. For 1904 Barber dimes, the doubling is most visible on the "1" and "9" of the date.
To locate a repunched date, place the coin under a 10× loupe and focus directly on the date digits below Liberty's neck. Look for a secondary, slightly offset image of the numeral that bleeds off the base or the side of the primary digit. One catalogued example designated RPD-L101 in PCGS MS-63 shows strong repunching concentrated on the "0" in the date. The doubling should be consistent and precise — not a blurring from die wear, but a clean secondary impression.
Repunched dates occupy a satisfying niche in variety collecting: they are confirmable under magnification, catalogued in specialist references, and collectible at accessible price points compared to major key-date coins. A 1904 no-mintmark example with a clearly visible repunched date graded MS-62 realized $580 in 2008, confirming that strong RPD examples carry meaningful premiums over standard examples at the same grade.
The flipover double-strike is among the most dramatic errors possible on any U.S. coin. It occurs when a struck coin escapes the press collar, flips over, re-enters the striking chamber, and receives a second blow from the dies. The result is two complete or partial design impressions superimposed on the same planchet — one right-side up and one inverted, with the second strike often dramatically off-center.
To identify this error, look for two sets of design elements on the same coin surface. The secondary strike may be rotated and offset by 50% or more from the coin's center. On a 1904 dime, you might see the outline of Liberty's portrait appearing twice on the obverse, or elements of the wreath appearing in unexpected positions on the reverse. The planchet may also show some thinning or distortion where the double strike stretched the metal outward.
Flipover double-strike errors are exceptionally uncommon on Barber dimes because the automatic coin press had catching mechanisms designed to prevent this exact type of escape. When they do survive, they represent a complete manufacturing anomaly frozen in silver. A PCGS-graded XF45 example with a dramatic secondary strike can sell for several hundred dollars or more, with premium determined by the visual drama and displacement of the secondary impression.
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| Mint / Variety | Mintage | Estimated Survivors (All Grades) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1904-P (Philadelphia) | 14,600,357 | ~35,000 est. | Common in circulated grades; condition rarity above MS-65 |
| 1904-S (San Francisco) | 800,000 | ~4,000 est. | Semi-key date; gems (MS-65+) very scarce — only a handful known |
| 1904 Proof (Philadelphia) | 670 | Mostly intact | Collector-only issue; mirrorlike fields; cameo contrast on early strikes |
| Total (all variants) | 15,401,027 | — | No New Orleans or Denver dimes in 1904 |
Only a few letters of LIBERTY are legible on Liberty's headband. The rim is complete but flat. Outline design only — little interior detail. The date is clear. Worth $11–$55 depending on mint (much more for 1904-S).
All letters of LIBERTY are visible in VF; sharp in XF. The laurel wreath shows detail, and Liberty's hair above the ear has three-dimensionality in XF. Light overall wear, no luster. Worth $15–$475 depending on mint and grade.
Only the slightest wear on the highest points — Liberty's cheek and the ribbon bow on reverse. Residual mint luster visible in protected areas. Original cartwheel luster may be partially present. Worth $73–$980 depending on mint.
Full cartwheel luster with no wear. On MS-65+, only minor contact marks are allowed. Strong eye appeal — clean fields, well-struck devices. 1904-P gems are condition rarities; 1904-S gems are exceptionally rare. Worth $700–$20,000+.
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The 1904-S is worth several times more than a 1904-P at every grade level. Before using the calculator, confirm whether your dime is genuinely from San Francisco by working through the comparison and checklist below.
Check all four features that apply to your coin:
Got a result? Now check what your 1904-S is actually worth.
Select "S – San Francisco" in the mint step to get an accurate estimate for your semi-key date.Select your coin's mint mark, condition, and any errors — then click Calculate for an instant estimate.
Not sure what mint mark or condition your coin is? There's a 1904 Barber Dime Coin Value Checker tool that lets you upload a photo for an AI-powered identification — helpful if you're new to grading Barber dimes.
Type a description of your coin in plain language — our analyzer will read it and give you a tailored assessment with next steps and market links.
Matching your coin to the right sales venue can make the difference between wholesale and retail pricing — especially for the 1904-S.
Best for: 1904-S in any grade, gem Philadelphia MS-65+, Proof examples.
Heritage reaches the widest audience of serious Barber dime collectors. They regularly achieve record prices on semi-key dates. Submit at least 8 weeks before a major sale date. CAC-approved coins perform especially well here. The top $11,163 result for the 1904-S CAC MS66 was a Heritage sale.
Best for: Circulated 1904-P in VF–AU range, error coins with clear photos.
eBay is a strong marketplace for mid-tier 1904 Barber dimes. Check recently sold prices for 1904 Barber dimes to calibrate your ask before listing. Use high-resolution photos (obverse and reverse), specify the grade honestly, and accept PayPal Goods & Services to protect both parties. Slabbed coins sell faster and at higher prices.
Best for: Immediate cash, worn circulated examples worth under $100.
A dealer will pay wholesale (typically 50–70% of retail) but you walk out with cash that day. For a common circulated 1904-P worth $15–$40, the convenience often outweighs the difference. Bring comparable sold prices from eBay or PCGS Price Guide to anchor the negotiation.
Best for: Error coins, variety hunters, collector-to-collector sales with no fees.
The r/coins and r/Silverbugs subreddits have active buying communities. Transactions are peer-to-peer with no auction house fees. Useful for circulated to lower-MS examples where auction overhead doesn't justify professional consignment. Always transact through PayPal Goods & Services for buyer and seller protection.
The free calculator takes under a minute. You might be holding a $55 coin — or a $20,000 semi-key date. Know before you sell.
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