1905-O Barber Dime Micro O

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Cool, I wasn't aware of that variety. Almost as small as a 1921 Morgan mintmark. (Why was it so hard for the mints to pick consistent, sensible mintmark sizes?)

 

Looks cleaned, lot of wear, G-4.

 

It's not really rare, but desirable by Barber collectors.

 

You're right on both counts.

 

The Micro O mint mark is only about half the size of the normal New Orleans issue. This is ironic, as numismatic expert Ron Guth points out above, because this undersize fellow was used on Barber quarters! The reason for this use was the very constricted space between the eagle's tail and the R of QUARTER. The Micro O mint mark is ROUND in shape with very thick side walls and an OVAL center. It's position is EQUIDISTANT and AWAY from the ribbon knot and denticles. The normal size mint mark is OVAL in shape with an OBLONG center. It is placed VERY CLOSE to the ribbon knot.

 

BCCS did a census back in 2008. It's interesting that 102 micro-O were reported and 304 regular ones, so it is widely collected. NGC has graded 64 with 223 regular ones. PCGS has graded 370 with 307 regular ones - something seems off about that!
http://www.barbercoins.org/Barber-Dimes-Census.shtml
Haney via David Lawrence's reference says one reverse die but paired with two obverses; I don't know how the obverse dies were identified, but it appears to be the date position. Note the position of 1 in relation to Barber's initial.

 

Mine appears to be the one on the right.

 

Thanks for the post @furham. That was informative.

 

You have really stepped up your game. Your coins have been very interesting