Franklin D. Roosevelt died April 12, 1945, while serving his fourth term as president. Shortly thereafter, Virginia Congressman Ralph H. Daughton introduced legislation for the replacement of the circulating Mercury Head dime with a new dime depicting FDR’s image.
The dime was chosen to honor FDR’s outstanding work with the March of Dimes Foundation.
The Rooosevelt Dime
FDR had been crippled for many years with polio, and dedicated a lot of his time for raising money to eradicate this disease. In addition, there was a tremendous outpouring of sadness and grief with his passing.
(The March of Dimes became a great sponsor and supporter of the campaign against Birth Defects, after a cure for polio was discovered in the late 50s and early 60s.)
The new coin was designed on a tight deadline by Chief Engraver, John R. Sinnock. Jan. 30, 1946 was the official release date. The image of FDR on the front side of the coin is very strong. The torch, olive branch and oak branch on the reverse side represent peace, liberty, and strength.
The composition of the FDR dime from 1946-1964 was .900 silver and .100 copper. The price of silver increased in 1965, and the public began to hoard circulating silver coins.
(The March of Dimes became a great sponsor and supporter of the campaign against Birth Defects, after a cure for polio was discovered in the late 50s and early 60s.)
The new coin was designed on a tight deadline by Chief Engraver, John R. Sinnock. Jan. 30, 1946 was the official release date. The image of FDR on the front side of the coin is very strong. The torch, olive branch and oak branch on the reverse side represent peace, liberty, and strength.
The composition of the FDR dime from 1946-1964 was .900 silver and .100 copper. The price of silver increased in 1965, and the public began to hoard circulating silver coins.
A clad (nickel and copper alloy) coin replaced dimes and quarters. (The 1965-1970 Kennedy half dollars contained 40 percent silver; however, starting in 1971, regular issues of the half dollars were of the “clad” composition.)
The U.S. Mint resumed limited .900 silver content collectible editions of the FDR dimes in 1992. There are no rarities in this series, and a complete (all mintmarks) UNC (uncirculated) set retails for approximately $500.
Interestingly enough, in 2003, there was some movement in Congress among conservative Republicans to replace the FDR dime with one with an image of Ronald Reagan.
Interestingly enough, in 2003, there was some movement in Congress among conservative Republicans to replace the FDR dime with one with an image of Ronald Reagan.
This project was quickly shelved, especially after former First Lady, Nancy Reagan, objected. She was very supportive of the FDR dime, and its tribute to FDR.
