# Why Won't They Redesign The Dime? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 8, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011 "2009-10-08T02:29:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/1 "2009-10-08T02:29:43Z")
This one has had me wondering for a while now. They recently (temporarily) redesigned the American penny (one cent piece). They did the same thing with the nickel (five cent piece for you non-Americans;)). We all know about the state quarters program. But they haven’t done anything with the dime at all yet. \And it has me hurt. Allow me to explain. The American dime has the picture of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on it. And I have been a fan of FDR at least since my 8th grade. He did alot of good, and literally redesigned the presidency and forever changed America’s role in the world. And I have been a Democrat all my life. So I have to wonder if the fact FDR was a Democrat has anything to do with it. True, Jefferson (on the nickel) was in the party that became the Democratic party. But he was a founding father too. So it is no surprise even conservatives like him too.\ Whew, I am glad I got all that off my chest:). Now, this is the GQ. So kindly disregard my mini-rant, and answer my question please. And as always, thank you in advance to all who reply:) ---
**Author:** ![MilTan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@MilTan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MilTan)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/2 "2009-10-08T02:35:43Z")
Well, part of it is that FDR is closely associated with dimes [for good reason](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_of_Dimes). ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/3 "2009-10-08T03:01:23Z")
I think the OP means he wants a spiffy new FDR design, just like they’ve done for the Lincoln bicentennial and for Jefferson. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/4 "2009-10-08T03:08:55Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > So I have to wonder if the fact FDR was a Democrat has anything to do with it. True, Jefferson (on the nickel) was in the party that became the Democratic party. But he was a founding father too. So it is no surprise even conservatives like him too.\ FDR’s political affilation would have nothing to do with why the US Mint redesigns coins. IMHO. But, I’ve been in the coin biz since about 1968. So, professional opinion. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Punkyova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@The\_Punkyova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Punkyova)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/5 "2009-10-08T03:13:46Z")
I don’t want them to redesign the dime! It’s based on a sculpture by Selma Burke, who was denied credit for years because she was African American. The initials JS are included in the design. John Sinnock was the chief engraver of the mint, and was given the official credit. The whole story is one of institutional racism, ability and talent winning out, stolen glory, and final vindication. What “spiffy” new design can compete with that? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/6 "2009-10-08T03:36:01Z")
All those redesigns are seriously fugly - really, do you want something like Zombie Jefferson? Or perhaps Buffalo With Penis? No thank you. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/7 "2009-10-08T03:47:22Z")
I believe they are waiting for a FDR-related anniversary to hinge it on/around as they did the nickel and penny. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/8 "2009-10-08T03:55:18Z")
> [@The\_Punkyova](#): > > I don’t want them to redesign the dime! It’s based on a sculpture by Selma Burke, who was denied credit for years because she was African American. The initials JS are included in the design. John Sinnock was the chief engraver of the mint, and was given the official credit. The whole story is one of institutional racism, ability and talent winning out, stolen glory, and final vindication. What “spiffy” new design can compete with that? Can you give us a cite for where we can read about it? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/9 "2009-10-08T04:55:34Z")
Here is the [plaque](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roosevelt_plaque.jpg) Burke designed, that some believe served as the inspiration for the obverse of the dime. Here is the [dime](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2005_Dime_Obv_Unc_P.png). They are both profiles. Other than that, they are nothing alike. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/10 "2009-10-08T05:35:06Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Here is the [plaque](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roosevelt_plaque.jpg) Burke designed, that some believe served as the inspiration for the obverse of the dime. Here is the [dime](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2005_Dime_Obv_Unc_P.png). They are both profiles. Other than that, they are nothing alike. Inspiration maybe but “stolen credit” is a giant stretch. The profiles are quite different. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/11 "2009-10-08T05:41:01Z")
[More on credit contro here](http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art25379.asp) > [@](#): > > The design of the new Roosevelt dime was assigned to Mint Engraver John R. Sinnock. This broke a 40-year tradition of inviting outside artists to compete in the design of U.S. coins. Sinnock’s models were submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts for their approval in October of 1945, and they were rejected. The commission wanted to have an invitational competition, but the mint was up against a deadline. Mint Director Nellie T. Ross rejected the commission’s suggestion. John Sinnock went back to work on the designs, and finally on January 8, 1946, approval was granted on his designs, and production on the dime commenced. > > Once the new Roosevelt dimes were released for circulation, a controversy arose. It seems a celebrated black sculptor Selma Burke claimed that Sinnock based his design on her bas-relief of President Roosevelt completed five years earlier. The resemblance between the two was very close. Some numismatist say this will be a subject for debate for years to come, but other experts feel differently. It has been brought to the forefront that Sinnock had adapted the design for the 1926 Sesquicentennial Half Dollar from John Frederick Lewis’ work, and if that is the case, then he most likely copied the work of Selma Burke. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/12 "2009-10-08T05:42:59Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Here is the [plaque](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roosevelt_plaque.jpg) Burke designed, that some believe served as the inspiration for the obverse of the dime. That is seriously goddamn creepy. I know a severed head when I see one. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/13 "2009-10-08T05:55:58Z")
They redesigned the penny & nickel? Wow, I haven’t even noticed. When did that happen? Now you’ve got me pulling out my wallet to see if there are different ones in there. Ah, I see. The new penny just started this month. And now I do remember seeing the new nickel, only rarely though. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/14 "2009-10-08T11:25:02Z")
I see the redesigns as a way to kill coins. I can’t tell if I’ve gotten American money anymore without examining every coin at the register. :mad: I can’t just glance and know. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/15 "2009-10-08T11:44:30Z")
They are going to have quarters for national parks starting in 2010. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/16 "2009-10-08T12:26:58Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > They are going to have quarters for national parks starting in 2010. Yeah, after the states, they went to territories and DC. Then the parks series. If I remember correctly, they’re doing one park from each state. (WI has the Apostle Islands.) ---
**Author:** ![davekhps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@davekhps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davekhps)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/17 "2009-10-08T15:41:20Z")
FDR is on the dime?? And here I always thought that was Roy Scheider. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/18 "2009-10-08T15:44:25Z")
There was an effort a few years ago to replace FDR with Reagan. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/19 "2009-10-08T16:12:09Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > FDR’s political affilation would have nothing to do with why the US Mint redesigns coins. IMHO. But, I’ve been in the coin biz since about 1968. So, professional opinion. I believe the correct abbreviation for that is IMPO, you imp. ---
**Author:** ![SiouxChief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@SiouxChief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiouxChief)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011/20 "2009-10-08T16:32:25Z")
> [@davekhps](#): > > FDR is on the dime?? And here I always thought that was Roy Scheider. It’s always looked more like Bob Newhart to me… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-they-redesign-the-dime/513011.md?page=2)