Description

Award-winning author Q. David Bowers offers fresh insight into the 1892-1916 silver coinage of U.S. Mint engraver Charles E. Barber.

These coins were the workhorses of American commerce at the dawn of an age of exciting innovation. Bowers traces the history of Barber's coinage through the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era to the brink of America's entry into the Great War, alongside the birth of record players, automobiles, and moving pictures.

The Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins gives advice and instructions on grading and smart collecting, along with retail prices in up to 12 grades (including Proofs), and a close study of every date and mintmark for Barber dimes, quarters, and half dollars. Appendices explore artist Charles Barber's personal life, the mints where his coins were struck, remarkable error coins, and related topics.

New in the updated third edition:

• Coin-by-coin comparison of historical and current market values.
• Historical photographs.
• Barber coin love tokens.
• Research on the 1894-S dime.
• and more...

Bowers introduces a new generation of collectors to Charles Barber, and fuels their passion for his important and wonderful coins." *― John Frost, president of the Barber Coin Collectors' Society *

"A landmark account touching on every aspect of Barber's fascinating coinage." ― Kenneth Bressett, editor emeritus of the Guide Book of United States Coins

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

Publisher's Preface

Introduction

How to Use This Book

Chapter 1: New Coinage of 1892

Chapter 2: Collecting Barber Coins

Chapter 3: The American Scene, 1892-1916

Chapter 4: Barber Dimes, 1892-1916

Chapter 5: Barber Quarters, 1892-1916

Chapter 6: Barber Half Dollars, 1892-1915

Appendix A: Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber

Appendix B: The Real Story of the 1894-S Barber Dime

Appendix C: Mints for the Barber Coinage

Appendix D: Mint Directors and Superintendents, 1892-1916

Appendix E: Remarkable Barber Coin Errors

Appendix F: A New Look at Charles Barber

Notes

Selected Bibliography

Credits and Acknowledgments

About the Author

Index