The Poe Collection of Prooflike Coins

Owner Comments:

Total Graded: 19204
Total Prooflike: 38
Percentage: 0.1979%

With a whopping 38 graded, you would think that the Barber dime would be easily available. While it is by no means common, the dime is the most frequently encountered Barber series in prooflike condition (which means that I generally see 2 or 3 examples for sale a year). A surprisingly wide variety of dates are available in prooflike condition, although about half of the population is from either 1892 or 1894.

The coin I bought is graded 63, a point lower than I normally prefer. However, I believe that the coin is undergraded (you know the old saying, ownership adds a point). The fields are full of die polish, and parts of the obverse field display an odd roughness. This roughness appears to be from rust – I’m guessing the dies deteriorated and were polished before being placed back in service. The strike is strong, the mirrors are very reflective. Luster is weak, which probably contributed to the 63 grade. Various parts of the fields exhibit wispy hairlines, which probably also brought the grade down. Overall, this is a solid coin, and I’m pleased to include it in my set.