Eighty years without dubious design change—why forget the dime?

Creg · May 27, 2025 3:27AM

How could the Roosevelt dime have escaped the trend of the redesigned reverse? The cent has seven reverse designs, the nickel has five, the quarter a gross or more. The obverse of the cent is moot now, but the quarter has three obverse designs as well as the nickel. The 1996 W is the only addition.
What reverse designs could Franklin get? Childhood home on Long Island…
The dime triggers some OC in me because they sized it smaller than the nickel and cent.

How many years will it take for the quarter to be the smallest denomination?

OAKSTAR · May 27, 2025 3:53AM

I'm old school. I say, keep it as is "for posterity's sake"... Which means it will probably be changed shortly!

Been to Sagamore Hill many times.

Morgan White · May 27, 2025 5:22AM

They shrunk his head though.

CaptHenway · May 27, 2025 7:14AM

Size matters.

BillJones · May 27, 2025 7:48AM

I think that there are several problems with the dime. First, it's too small to provide a space for a really great design. Second, unlike the Lincoln Cent, it has a much smaller collector following. The 2009 Lincolnn phases of his life cents had a collector following that the mint perceived as an attention getter. Third, although FDR is a modern icon, he's not up there with Washington and Lincoln. Fourth, the mint made of lot out of the Lewis and Clark mission at the time, so issuing special reverses of the Jefferson Nickel made sense. Jefferson did sponsor the expedition.

Clackamas1 · May 27, 2025 9:49AM

@BillJones said:
I think that there are several problems with the dime. First, it's too small to provide a space for a really great design. Second, unlike the Lincoln Cent, it has a much smaller collector following. The 2009 Lincoln phases of his life cents had a collector following that the mint perceived as an attention getter. Third, although FDR is a modern icon, he's not up there with Washington and Lincoln. Fourth, the mint made of lot out of the Lewis and Clark mission at the time, so issuing special reverses of the Jefferson Nickel made sense. Jefferson did sponsor the expedition.

I would not call FDR a modern icon. To my children he is as modern as Teddy was when I was born. Reagan seems old to them and he is, I was too young to vote for him and that was like 40 years after FDR.

Morgan White · May 27, 2025 9:58AM

The mint can do better.

BillJones · May 27, 2025 10:11AM

@Clackamas1 said:

@BillJones said:
I think that there are several problems with the dime. First, it's too small to provide a space for a really great design. Second, unlike the Lincoln Cent, it has a much smaller collector following. The 2009 Lincoln phases of his life cents had a collector following that the mint perceived as an attention getter. Third, although FDR is a modern icon, he's not up there with Washington and Lincoln. Fourth, the mint made of lot out of the Lewis and Clark mission at the time, so issuing special reverses of the Jefferson Nickel made sense. Jefferson did sponsor the expedition.

I would not call FDR a modern icon. To my children he is as modern as Teddy was when I was born. Regan seems old to them and he is, I was too young to vote for him and that was like 40 years after FDR.

Despite the fact that FDR has been out of office for over 80 years, his shadow continues to have influence over modern politics and policies. Democratic Party presidents continue to hope that they will long term influence over the scope of government’s role similar to the changes FDR successfully enacted.

CaptHenway · May 27, 2025 11:46AM

@BillJones said:

@Clackamas1 said:

@BillJones said:
I think that there are several problems with the dime. First, it's too small to provide a space for a really great design. Second, unlike the Lincoln Cent, it has a much smaller collector following. The 2009 Lincoln phases of his life cents had a collector following that the mint perceived as an attention getter. Third, although FDR is a modern icon, he's not up there with Washington and Lincoln. Fourth, the mint made of lot out of the Lewis and Clark mission at the time, so issuing special reverses of the Jefferson Nickel made sense. Jefferson did sponsor the expedition.

I would not call FDR a modern icon. To my children he is as modern as Teddy was when I was born. Regan seems old to them and he is, I was too young to vote for him and that was like 40 years after FDR.

Despite the fact that FDR has been out of office for over 80 years, his shadow continues to have influence over modern politics and policies. Democratic Party presidents continue to hope that they will long term influence over the scope of government’s role similar to the changes FDR successfully enacted.

I am trying very hard not to be political here, but those very long-lasting influences of the FDR administration might make the coin a target of the current administration.

Alpha2814 · May 27, 2025 12:38PM

I'm suddenly reminded of the US Mint homepage in mid-2014, where the circulating coins showed the obverse for Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington, but the reverse for both the dime and half dollar. Things that make you go hmmm...
https://web.archive.org/web/20140319073157/http://www.usmint.gov/

BillJones · May 27, 2025 1:19PM

@CaptHenway said:

@BillJones said:

@Clackamas1 said:

@BillJones said:
I think that there are several problems with the dime. First, it's too small to provide a space for a really great design. Second, unlike the Lincoln Cent, it has a much smaller collector following. The 2009 Lincoln phases of his life cents had a collector following that the mint perceived as an attention getter. Third, although FDR is a modern icon, he's not up there with Washington and Lincoln. Fourth, the mint made of lot out of the Lewis and Clark mission at the time, so issuing special reverses of the Jefferson Nickel made sense. Jefferson did sponsor the expedition.

I would not call FDR a modern icon. To my children he is as modern as Teddy was when I was born. Regan seems old to them and he is, I was too young to vote for him and that was like 40 years after FDR.

Despite the fact that FDR has been out of office for over 80 years, his shadow continues to have influence over modern politics and policies. Democratic Party presidents continue to hope that they will long term influence over the scope of government’s role similar to the changes FDR successfully enacted.

I am trying very hard not to be political here, but those very long-lasting influences of the FDR administration might make the coin a target of the current administration.

I doubt it.

jacrispies · May 27, 2025 1:22PM

If they would bring back the Capped Bust design on all denominations, all of the country's problems would be resolved.

JBK · May 27, 2025 1:31PM

People might be bored with the design but the truth is that the Roosevelt dime is a nicely executed design.

I sometimes stop to realize that earlier generations probably were tired or at least ambivalent about the designs that were in use during their lifetime.

When collectors today reference how great the older designs were they usually show MS examples, but the coins people were used to seeing in circulation back then were usually worn, tarnished, or otherwise gunked up.

Morgan White · May 27, 2025 1:53PM

@JBK said:
People might be bored with the design but the truth is that the Roosevelt dime is a nicely executed design.

I sometimes stop to realize that earlier generations probably were tired or at least ambivalent about the designs that were in use during their lifetime.

When collectors today reference how great the older designs were they usually show MS examples, but the coins people were used to seeing in circulation back then were usually worn, tarnished, or otherwise gunked up.

Some of the most beautiful designs were some of the ugliest when worn.

normmalin · May 27, 2025 3:04PM

<<>>

Wasn't there a movement many years ago to put Reagan on the dime?

JBK · May 27, 2025 3:25PM

@normmalin said:
<<>>

Wasn't there a movement many years ago to put Reagan on the dime?

Maybe you missed it.

Smudge · May 27, 2025 5:12PM

@Morgan White said:
The mint can do better.

They could, not sure if they can now.

Creg · May 27, 2025 6:22PM

@ JBK sai:
Maybe you missed it.

Not flattering with the “hobo effect” tooling and the struggle between the front and side planes of the bust.

BillJones · May 27, 2025 6:56PM

@CaptHenway said:

@BillJones said:

@Clackamas1 said:

@BillJones said:
I think that there are several problems with the dime. First, it's too small to provide a space for a really great design. Second, unlike the Lincoln Cent, it has a much smaller collector following. The 2009 Lincoln phases of his life cents had a collector following that the mint perceived as an attention getter. Third, although FDR is a modern icon, he's not up there with Washington and Lincoln. Fourth, the mint made of lot out of the Lewis and Clark mission at the time, so issuing special reverses of the Jefferson Nickel made sense. Jefferson did sponsor the expedition.

I would not call FDR a modern icon. To my children he is as modern as Teddy was when I was born. Regan seems old to them and he is, I was too young to vote for him and that was like 40 years after FDR.

Despite the fact that FDR has been out of office for over 80 years, his shadow continues to have influence over modern politics and policies. Democratic Party presidents continue to hope that they will long term influence over the scope of government’s role similar to the changes FDR successfully enacted.

I am trying very hard not to be political here, but those very long-lasting influences of the FDR administration might make the coin a target of the current administration.

I doubt it. > @Morgan White said:

@JBK said:
People might be bored with the design but the truth is that the Roosevelt dime is a nicely executed design.

I sometimes stop to realize that earlier generations probably were tired or at least ambivalent about the designs that were in use during their lifetime.

When collectors today reference how great the older designs were they usually show MS examples, but the coins people were used to seeing in circulation back then were usually worn, tarnished, or otherwise gunked up.

Some of the most beautiful designs were some of the ugliest when worn.

Some designs, like the Indian Cent, survive well in circulation. The Standing Liberty Quarter design was a failure. It looks great when is fully struck. It loses something when it is weakly struck, and it loses a lot more as it gets more and more worn.

TheRegulator · May 27, 2025 7:53PM

@CaptHenway said:

I am trying very hard not to be political here, but those very long-lasting influences of the FDR administration might make the coin a target of the current administration.

WCC · May 27, 2025 8:13PM

@JBK said:
People might be bored with the design but the truth is that the Roosevelt dime is a nicely executed design.

I sometimes stop to realize that earlier generations probably were tired or at least ambivalent about the designs that were in use during their lifetime.

When collectors today reference how great the older designs were they usually show MS examples, but the coins people were used to seeing in circulation back then were usually worn, tarnished, or otherwise gunked up.

The series has one of the lowest preferences among US coinage. Easily the lowest from any US series up to SQ, though the SBA dollar might be considered a close competitor. The silver FDR dime is easily (bar none) the least preferred among US classics for those who classify it as one.

Of the four primary coin attributes, the design explains this preference. The other three are the supply (it's really common except under narrow or arbitrary criteria), the metal content (for the clad), and size.

olympicsos · May 28, 2025 4:41AM

@Morgan White said:

@JBK said:
People might be bored with the design but the truth is that the Roosevelt dime is a nicely executed design.

I sometimes stop to realize that earlier generations probably were tired or at least ambivalent about the designs that were in use during their lifetime.

When collectors today reference how great the older designs were they usually show MS examples, but the coins people were used to seeing in circulation back then were usually worn, tarnished, or otherwise gunked up.

Some of the most beautiful designs were some of the ugliest when worn.

The only way to enjoy the classic coin designs is as uncirculated pieces. Not circulated. Even the ones commonly found worn like the Draped Bust or Flowing Hair are much better uncirculated. If I wanted to look at an "uncirculated" image of FDR, I could search online for his picture.

ambro51 · May 28, 2025 11:42AM

Curiously, almost No One can tell you what’s on the back of a dime. Try it.

privatecoin · May 28, 2025 12:45PM

@ambro51 said:
Curiously, almost No One can tell you what’s on the back of a dime. Try it.

The words One Dime.

SanctionII · May 28, 2025 3:52PM

A lit wooden torch with horizontal metal bands (fasces?) in the center of the reverse, with an Oak Tree branch and an Olive Tree branch placed to the sides of the torch. E Pluribus Unum is placed horizontally across the bottom of the torch and branches. On the perimeter of the reverse is United States Of America (top and sides) and One Dime (bottom).

I typed the above without looking. How did I do?

If I got it completely right I shake my head, as it simply confirms that I am a coin nerd.

erwindoc · May 28, 2025 5:48PM

They made silver reverse proof coins that were nice.

Morgan White · May 29, 2025 4:47AM

@ambro51 said:
Curiously, almost No One can tell you what’s on the back of a dime. Try it.

Tiki torch and tossed salad.

ambro51 · May 29, 2025 2:52PM

I’ve asked cashiers in stores that question.. clueless…

PerryHall · May 29, 2025 3:36PM

Since the cent is being eliminated, why not put Lincoln on the dime?

olympicsos · May 30, 2025 3:37AM

@PerryHall said:
Since the cent is being eliminated, why not put Lincoln on the dime?

He is on the $5 which is not going anywhere

CaptHenway · May 31, 2025 5:38AM

@ambro51 said:
Curiously, almost No One can tell you what’s on the back of a dime. Try it.

A torch, as in the Torch Drive, as in the Mothers March Against Polio, as in the March of Dimes, which FDR helped found in 1938. The March of Dimes funded the research that created Jonas Salk's vaccine in the early 1950's, with large scale testing in 1955 and mass inoculations in 1956. Unfortunately this was to late to keep me from getting it, but my younger Sister and Brother DID NOT!

PerryHall · May 31, 2025 6:07AM

@CaptHenway said:

@ambro51 said:
Curiously, almost No One can tell you what’s on the back of a dime. Try it.

A torch, as in the Torch Drive, as in the Mothers March Against Polio, as in the March of Dimes, which FDR helped found in 1938. The March of Dimes funded the research that created Jonas Salk's vaccine in the early 1950's, with large scale testing in 1955 and mass inoculations in 1956. Unfortunately this was to late to keep me from getting it, but my younger Sister and Brother DID NOT!

I remember seeing some reference books referring to it as the "Torch of Freedom". I remember seeing a few kids in my elementary school who had to wear leg braces similar to Forest Gump. Polio was a terrible disease.

Aspie_Rocco · May 31, 2025 8:36AM

From mint website, not mentioned is the olive branch

pocketpiececommems · May 31, 2025 8:51AM

@Morgan White said:

@JBK said:
People might be bored with the design but the truth is that the Roosevelt dime is a nicely executed design.

I sometimes stop to realize that earlier generations probably were tired or at least ambivalent about the designs that were in use during their lifetime.

When collectors today reference how great the older designs were they usually show MS examples, but the coins people were used to seeing in circulation back then were usually worn, tarnished, or otherwise gunked up.

Some of the most beautiful designs were some of the ugliest when worn.

I personally like the worn look of these old coins. Clad coins don’t change much with the exception of the 1965,66,67 & 69’s

Morgan White · May 31, 2025 9:05AM

@PerryHall said:

@CaptHenway said:

@ambro51 said:
Curiously, almost No One can tell you what’s on the back of a dime. Try it.

A torch, as in the Torch Drive, as in the Mothers March Against Polio, as in the March of Dimes, which FDR helped found in 1938. The March of Dimes funded the research that created Jonas Salk's vaccine in the early 1950's, with large scale testing in 1955 and mass inoculations in 1956. Unfortunately this was to late to keep me from getting it, but my younger Sister and Brother DID NOT!

I remember seeing some reference books referring to it as the "Torch of Freedom". I remember seeing a few kids in my elementary school who had to wear leg braces similar to Forest Gump. Polio was a terrible disease.

Eighty years without dubious design change—why forget the dime?

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