[The following excerpt is published courtesy of DLRC Press and its author, David Lawrence This information was originally published in 1991 in The Complete Guide to Barber Dimes]
* * *
Mintage:2,130,000
Varieties: Breen reports an “extra heavy date” variety, possibly caused by a blurring of the figures due to repeated repunching.
Scarcity: Much scarcer than its mintage suggests. In fact one of the toughest dates in the series, especially in well-struck condition. Mint state examples are extremely scarce.
Rarity Rating: G-VG R2, F-VF R3, XF-AU R5, MS R6.
Total PCGS/NGC = 19 (RANKING 3/74).
Comments: Often poorly struck around the periphery so that LIBERTY is incomplete even in mint state (the last few letters are wiped outs). Well struck pieces command a considerable premium in XF and above. Because of the poor strike. F-XF specimens. graded by the usual rule of full to strong LIBERTY are tough to find. Specimens with nice luster grade at least AU despite Use lack of detail. Look for sharpness in Liberty’s head wreath to help you grade this date. High-grade coins may well be “cherry picked” from dealers’ stock, if dealers are unfamiliar with the date. Sometimes comes with proof-like fields.