Pre-1933 US Gold Coins: Melt Value and Premiums
Every pre-1933 US gold coin is 90% gold. Here's how much gold each one holds, how to price it at melt and why most sell above that floor.
Barber Dime Melt Value
Markets closed: precious metals don’t trade on weekends, so prices show Friday, Nov 6’s close. Live updates resume Sunday evening (ET). Last checked ET
Melt value of one Barber Dime
$3.77
Face value $0.10Melt ÷ face 37.70× Pure silver 0.07234 ozSilver spot $52.07
A Barber Dime (1892–1916) weighs 2.5 grams and is made of 90% silver, 10% copper. That works out to 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver, so at today’s spot price the metal in one coin is worth about $3.77.
Barber Dime specifications
| Years | 1892–1916 |
|---|---|
| Face value | $0.10 |
| Weight | 2.5 g (0.0804 troy oz) |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Diameter | 17.9 mm |
| Silver content | 2.250 g (0.07234 troy oz) · worth $3.77 |
| Copper content | 0.250 g · worth $0.0035 |
How much are Barber Dime coins worth in bulk?
| Quantity | Face value | Melt value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.10 | $3.77 |
| 5 | $0.50 | $18.85 |
| 10 | $1.00 | $37.70 |
| 50 (1 roll) | $5.00 | $188.51 |
| 100 | $10.00 | $377.03 |
| 1,000 | $100.00 | $3,770.27 |
How the Barber Dime melt value has changed
| Date | Melt value then | Change to today |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month ago (Oct 8, 2026) | $4.30 | ▼ -12.38% |
| 1 year ago (Nov 8, 2025) | $3.48 | ▲ +8.46% |
| 5 years ago (Nov 8, 2021) | $1.77 | ▲ +112.66% |
| 10 years ago (Nov 8, 2016) | $1.09 | ▲ +245.92% |
Based on stored daily closing prices.
Melt value vs. what your Barber Dime is worth
Melt value is the floor: the value of the metal alone. Dealers who buy coins for their metal usually pay a little below melt. Coins with a rare date, mint mark or error, or in uncirculated condition, can sell for far more than melt to collectors – check a current price guide or have the coin graded before selling anything that looks scarce.
Have several coins? Use the coin melt value calculator or the junk silver calculator.
Other dimes
| Coin | Years | Metal content | Melt value | × face |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mercury Dime | 1916–1945 | 0.0723 oz silver | $3.77 | 37.7× |
 Roosevelt Dime (silver) | 1946–1964 | 0.0723 oz silver | $3.77 | 37.7× |
 Roosevelt Dime (clad) | 1965–present | 2.268 g · 91.67% copper | $0.0322 | 0.3× |
Melt value = metal content × today’s spot price. It is not what a dealer pays (usually less) or a collector’s price (often more).
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Barber Dime worth in melt value today?
At today’s metal prices (November 8, 2026) one Barber Dime contains about $3.77 worth of metal. This is the melt (scrap) value – rare dates and coins in top condition can sell for much more to collectors.
How much silver is in a Barber Dime?
A Barber Dime weighs 2.5 grams and contains 0.07234 troy ounces (2.250 grams) of pure silver.
Is a Barber Dime worth more than its face value?
Right now the metal in a Barber Dime is worth 37.7× its face value of $0.1.
Related guides
View all guides →
Are Copper Pennies Worth Saving? Metal Value, the Law and Reality
Pre-1982 copper pennies hold more metal than face value, but you can't legally melt them. Here's the math, the law and whether saving them …
What Is Junk Silver? A Beginner’s Guide to 90% Silver Coins
Junk silver is worn pre-1965 US dimes, quarters and half dollars traded for their silver, not their collector value. Here's what counts and…
Melt values are estimates based on spot prices and official coin specifications. Dealers usually pay less than melt; rare coins can be worth far more to collectors.