1905 Dime Coin Value (Errors List, “O”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Are 1905 dimes worth collecting? What’s the value of a 1905 Barber dime? If you are building a Barber dimes collection, you’ve probably wondered if a 1905 dime is worth adding to your set. Our 1905 dime value guide breaks down everything you need to know about this old but valuable coin.

Despite its relatively high mintage, the 1905 dime can be a fantastic addition to your collection, especially in Mint State condition. This guide will walk you through the coin’s history, unique features, and expert tips for grading your 1905 dimes so you can know how much to expect. We’ll also reveal high-value minting errors you should watch for.

Let’s get started and answer the big question: how much is a 1905 dime worth?

History of the 1905 Dime

The 1905 dime is part of the Charles Barber coin series, which replaced the Seated Liberty design from 1892 to 1916. By the late 1880s, many were dissatisfied with the Seated Liberty design. From government officials to collectors and lobbyist, there were calls for the U.S. Mint to redesign the coins and give them a more modern look.

In 1891, after Congress authorized a redesign, the U.S Mint Director, Edward Leech held a competition inviting artists to submit their proposals for a new coin design. However, since only the winner would receive a cash prize, most artists did not participate in the competition.

Leech turned to the U.S. Mint Chief Engraver, Charles Barber, and asked him to create new designs for the dime, quarter, and half dollar. After several adjustments, Leech accepted Barber’s designs and President Benjamin Harrison approved in November 1891. Production of the new coins began in January 1892.

All Barber coins i.e., the dime, quarter and half dollar, feature Liberty’s right-facing profile adorning a small Phrygian cap and a headband with the inscription, “LIBERTY.” On the dime, the words, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” are etched above Liberty’s head, while the date is below the profile. The reverse features a laurel of oak, maple, corn, and wheat leaves, surrounding the words, “ONE DIME.”

The 1905 dime was minted at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco Mints. This is a common date, given the high mintages at the Philadelphia and New Orleans facility. 1905 (P) and 1905-O dimes are quite plentiful in circulated condition. The San Francisco mint had a much lower mintage, making 1905-S dimes scarcer and sought-after by collectors.

Even with the relatively high mintage, the 1905 dime is a worthwhile addition to any Barber dime collection. Mint State examples are particularly scarce and can fetch premium prices—so this is a coin worth watching for!

Features of the 1905 Dime

Let’s breakdown the key features that will help you identify a Barber dime worth collecting.

Obverse of the 1905 Dime

On the obverse is Liberty’s right-facing profile wearing a Phrygian cap, a wreath and a headband with the inscriptions, “LIBERTY” inscribed on it.

Above Liberty’s head are the words, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, etched along the coin’s upper edge. The date, 1905, is positioned below LIBERTY’s profile.

Reverse of the 1905 Dime

On the reverse is a wreath of maple, oak, wheat and corn leaves, symbolic of America’s agricultural prosperity at the time.

The denomination, ONE DIME, is boldly inscribed at the center of the coin. On dimes minted in New Orleans and San Francisco, the mint marks O or S appear below the ribbon tying the wreath together.

Other Feature of the 1905 Dime

Additional features of the 1905 dime to look out for are:

• Diameter:9 millimeters
• Weight: 2.5 grams
• Metal composition: Silver
• Fineness: 0.9
• ASW: 0.0723oz
• Edge: Reeded

1905 Dime Grading

Grading your 1905 dime can help you know what to expect whether you’re buying or selling your coin. Here are key grading tips to keep in mind.

Uncirculated: An uncirculated example is graded from MS60-MS70 depending on the condition. The coin should have full details especially on Liberty’s hair and the wreath, original luster and no contact marks, dings or scratches.

Extremely Fine: Graded from EF40-E45, such a dime would have only slight wear on the high contact points such as the wreath leaves and Liberty’s cheek. But, the coin’s details would still be largely visible.

Fine: If your dime shows extensive flattening of the details, where Liberty’s headband and the laurel lack an outline, you could grade it as Fine (F12-F15).

Good: Dimes where most of the details on the obverse and reverse are hardly visible can be graded as Good (G4-G6). However, the mintmark and date should still be visible.

Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.

1905 Dime Value Guides

So, how much is a 1905 dime worth today? The value depends on factors such as the mintmark, condition, mintage, and rarity.

There are four types of the 1905 dime:

• 1905 No-Mintmark Dime
• 1905-O Dime
• 1905-S Dime
• 1905 Proof Dime

Let’s look at how much each is worth.

1905 No-Mintmark Dime Value

The 1905 no-mintmark dime was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which produced the highest mintage of all 1905 dimes. A whopping 14, 551, 623 coins were released, making them fairly easy and affordable to find in circulated condition.

Philadelphia-minted dimes are generally well-struck and most examples will have good luster. Mint State examples are relatively scarce between grades MS60 and MS63 and the population dwindles further from MS65, making these gems genuinely rare.

Here’s a breakdown of the value of a 1905 no-mintmark dime:

• Circulated examples: These are plentiful and affordable. Expect about $3 for a dime graded Good (G) and $32 for one designated as Extra Fine. Further up the scale, you can expect up to $90 for a dime graded About Uncirculated (AU58).
• Uncirculated examples: Mint State (MS) dimes are relatively scarce. In lower grades from MS60 to MS63, dimes can fetch as much as $110 to $250. These coins become rare in higher grades and will fetch premium prices, for example an MS65 is worth up to $800 while an MS67 can command as much as $3900.
• Auction Record: In 2006, a 1905 dime graded MS67 was sold by Heritage Auctions for a remarkable $9,775, making this one of the most valuable coins in the series.

1905-O Dime Value

The New Orleans Mint produced 3,400,00 dimes in 1905, the second-highest mintage. These coins are relatively scarce and it’s possible to get premium prices in most grades.

Mint State examples are plentiful from MS63 to MS64 but become scarcer in MS65 to MS67. In fact, only a handful MS67 examples are known to exist.

There are two varieties of the 1905 -O dimes: The “regular” O and the “micro” O. As the name implies, the O mintmark on the “micro” O dime is much smaller. Collectors often seek-out the “micro” variety, as it is worth more than the “regular” O dimes.

The “micro” variety came about when mint workers used the mintmark punch for Barber quarter dollars to prepare the dime’s reverse die. On quarters, the space for mintmarks is smaller than on dimes and this resulted in a smaller O mintmark appearing on the 1905 dimes. Circulated examples of the O variety are moderately scarce but Mint State examples are genuinely rare.

Although the strike quality is generally good on most coins, many others will show weakness on specific spots including the ME of DIME and E of ONE on the reverse, and around Liberty’s mouth on the obverse.

Here’s what to expect with the value of the 1905-O dime:

• Circulated examples: “Micros” are worth good money even in lower grades. For example, even one graded Poor/Average (PrAg) will sell for $40 while a regular 1905-O at the same grade is worth about $5. A Good “micro” example will bring in up to $75 compared to $30 for a regular dime . At AU58, you can expect as much as $2,000 for a “micro” and $250 for the regular mintmark.
• Mint state: Mint States “micro” 1905-O dimes are moderately scarce and will fetch outright premium prices. For example, an MS60 will fetch as much as $2,600 while a regular one is worth $280. The value will rise exponentially to a remarkable $8,100 vs. $700 for an MS64. Rare gem-quality “micros” can sell for up to $11,500 while regular ones will sell for about $7,000.
• Auction record: Stack’s Bowers sold a regular 1905-O MS67 for $11,400 in 2024 while in 2005 a “micro” graded MS65 was sold for $12,650 at Heritage Auctions.

1905-S Dime Value

Producing only 6, 855, 199 dimes, the San Francisco Mint had the lowest mintage in the entire date. Due to its moderate scarcity, this coin will fetch a small fortune even in lower grades and larger premiums in Mint State. Generally, 1905-S dimes are well-struck with great, almost proof-like luster

Mint State examples are plentiful between grade MS60 and MS64; MS65 are quite accessible but command premium prices. Gems ranging from MS66 to MS67 are genuinely rare, with less than 10 examples known to exist.

Here’s a breakdown of the value of 1905-S dimes:

• Circulated Examples: These dimes are plentiful and affordable with a Poor/Average piece selling for about $2 while an Extra Fine example will fetch up to $70. An AU58 will command as much as $165.
• Mint State: Uncirculated pieces in lower Mint State grades are generally plentiful. The population however dwindles from MS64 and becomes notably rare in the higher grades. At MS60 expect to pay about $200 and as much as $500 for an MS64, while from MS66 to MS67 you can expect as much as $2,900 to $6650.
• Auction Record: The most expensive 1905-S dime was graded MS67 and was auctioned by Sotheby’s in 1999 for an impressive $8,525.

1905 Proof Dime Value

In addition to regular dimes, the Philadelphia mint struck 727 proof coins for collectors. These dimes are pointedly scarce and are available in regular proof, cameo and deep cameo.

Most 1905 proof dimes boast a brilliant luster on the devices and fields. But, a few have some frosting, an indication of the deep cameo status.

Here’s a breakdown of the values:

• Lower Proof Examples: Expect between $300 and $925 for proof dimes graded PF60 to PF64.
• Higher Proof Examples: Between grades PF65 and PF68, the value increases exponentially with proofs selling for $1200 to $10,500.
• Auction Record: Heritage Auctions sold a 1905 PF68 in 2017 for an impressive $30,550.

Rare 1905 Dime Errors List

Errors are part of the minting process and the coin production in 1905 was no different. Here are a few to watch for:

1. 1905 Dime Re-punched Mintmark

A few 1905-O and 1905-S dimes show a re-punched mintmark error. This error occurs when the mintmark is struck multiple times at slightly different angles, resulting in a visible doubling or overlapping on the mintmark. Re-punched mintmark errors can increase the value of your dime by $10-$100 depending on the intensity of doubling and the coin’s condition.

2. 1905 Dime Re-punched Date

The re-punched date error is more common on the 1905 no-mintmark dimes. This is an error in which the date is punched severally in an overlapping manner, resulting in what looks like a doubled digits on the date. This rare error can fetch between $20 and $150, depending on the coin’s condition.

3. 1905 Dime Off-Center Strike

Another error that comes up in this series is the off-center strike. As the name suggests, an off-center strike happens when a misalignment causes the die to strike the planchet slightly away from the center and more toward the edge. Depending on the extent of the misalignment, some of the details may be missing from the coin. The more dramatic the misalignment, the more valuable the error tends to be. An  off-center strike may increase the value of your 1905 dime by as much as $100.

Where to Sell Your 1905 Barber Dime?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons.

FAQs

Is the 1905 Barber dime rare?

No. The 1905 dime is not exceptionally rare but the 1905-O and 1904-S have lower mintages than their Philadelphia counterparts. Despite not being too rarer, the 1905 dime is still valuable especially in Mint State, due to its age and historical significance.

How do I know if my 1905 dime is real?

The 1905 dimes are not counterfeiters’ favorite only because this is not a key date. However, you can still ensure your dime, especially a 1905-S, is authentic but paying close attention to the details. Odd-looking details that make it seem like the coin has been tampered might be a red-flag. Also inspect the mintmark on the reverse just underneath the wreath’s ribbon to ensure it is machine made and not handmade.

Is a 1905 dime real silver?

Yes. A 1905 dime is made from 90% pure silver and 10% copper. The metal composition gives the coin the silverish, grayish tone. Another way to check your coin’s authenticity is using a magnet, which should be attracted to the dime’s silver metal composition.