The dime, in United States usage, is a ten-cent coin (10¢), one tenth of a United States dollar, labelled formally as "one dime". After the half dime became five cents in 1873, the dime is now the only United States coin in general circulation that is not denominated in terms of dollars or cents.
The denomination exists since the introduction of US currency. It was initially a larger silver coin featuring the draped bust of Liberty (1796 - 1807), then a smaller capped bust of Liberty (1809 - 1837), then with a Seated Liberty obverse (1837 - 1891) which was in turn replaced by the Barber Dime (1892 - 1916) and then the Mercury Dime (1916 - 1945).
The Roosevelt Dime was introduced in 1946, shortly after the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, and features his portrait on the obverse. Designed by John R. Sinnock. The reverse shows a torch in the centre, representing liberty, flanked by an olive sprig representing peace, and one of oak symbolising strength and independence; the design as a whole is symbolic of the victorious end of World War II.
The coin was minted in 90% silver until 1964 and was then debased to copper-nickel without any change to the design. Silver coinage disappeared from circulation but these coins have never been demonetised and are still legal tender. This, of course, is of academic interest only, as their numismatic and bullion value is much higher than their face value.
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| Obverse | |
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Within a plain rim, the obverse of the coin shows the portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the Unite States, facing left .
The designer's initials JS (for John Sinnock) are below the neck truncation of the portrait. To the right of that and much larger, the date of issue: 1953.
Around left in large letters, the inscription LIBERTY.
On two lines below left, the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST. |
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| Reverse | |
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Within a plain rim, the reverse of the coin shows a torch in the centre, representing liberty, flanked by an olive sprig representing peace, and one of oak symbolising strength and independence; the design as a whole is symbolic of the victorious end of World War II.
Around above, in large letters the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; separated from this by two dots, around below are the value and denomination: · ONE DIME ·.
Interrupted by the torch and two branches, horizontally in the lower half of the design is the motto E · PLURIBUS · UNUM ("Out of many, one" - signifying unity in diversity).
Coins struck by the Philadelphia Mint have no mint mark. Coins struck by other mints have a mint mark in the form of a letter placed to the left of the base of torch.
Mint marks this year can be D for the Denver Mint, or S for the San Francisco Mint. |
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