King of Barber Dimes Sells for $1.25 Million

A legendary 1894-S Barber dime sold for $1.25 million in Session 2 of Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction. Known as the “King of Barber Dimes,” only 24 examples of the 1894-S were struck, with just 9 specimens confirmed to exist today. The coin offered at auction was the prestigious Norweb specimen, graded Proof-63 by Professional Coin Grading Service and carrying approvals from both Certified Acceptance Corporation and Certified Market Quality.

The low-mintage 1894-S Barber dime has long been a topic of debate. Numerous theories have emerged over the years regarding the reason for its extremely limited production and how surviving examples were distributed. The piece ranks No. 4 in Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth’s 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. The sale represented a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a coin that has spent decades in prominent collections. The specimen had not appeared at auction for 36 years, adding to the significance of its return to the marketplace.

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