The third edition of Q. David Bowers’ Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins will be published by Whitman Publishing in August 2023. The Bowers Series of Numismatic References has reached its 20th installment with this 400-page tome. On August 8-12, it will debut at the World’s Fair of Money hosted by the American Numismatic Association in Pittsburgh. The new book will be sold at bookstores, hobby shops, and online after the convention.
Guide Book of Barber Silver
The book focuses on the silver dime, quarter, and half dollar coins produced between 1892 and 1916 and designed by U.S. Mint chief engraver Charles E. Barber. To put it mildly, the “workhorse” of the American monetary system. They were commonly used as currency well into the 1950s due to their long circulation period. Many people today consider Barber’s silver coins one of the most exciting classic U.S. series to collect.
New to this edition are photographs from the past, information on love tokens made from Barber coins, a deeper dive into the history of the 1894-S dime, and much more. New studies on die varieties, estimated field populations, and other topics were reviewed by BCCS president John Frost and other members of the Society for the updated second edition.
John Frost’s “A New Look at Charles Barber” features recently discovered photographs and other archival materials from the Barber family. Misconceptions about Charles Barber’s personal life, his friendship with George T. Morgan, and his association with President Theodore Roosevelt are dispelled here. Off-center Barber coins and other rare and valuable errors are also discussed, as is the history of the mints, directors, and superintendents involved in the production of Barber coins.
In “The Real Story of the 1894-S Barber dime,” professional numismatist Jeff Ambio provided an illustrated history of the legendary rarity of which only 24 were minted. And medallic-arts historian Dick Johnson presented a five-page catalog of Charles Barber’s related work and United States medals, including Assay Commission medals, Indian Peace medals, Presidential medals, and military medals.
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