Roosevelt Dimes: Noble Coin for a Fallen Leader

From the time the coin was first minted through 1964 the Roosevelt Dime was made of 90% silver and 10% copper. With the exception of the Kennedy Half Dollar (read more about the Kennedy Half Dollar HERE), silver was removed from circulating US coins starting in 1965. The coin became a "clad" or a "sandwich" coin at that time, wihere, the outer two layers consisting of nickel (making up 25% of the coin's weight) which overlay a core of copper (which makes up 75% of the coin's weight). With the change in the dime's make-up, the weight of the coin dropped from 2.5 grams to 2.27 grams.

You are probably familiar with the Mint Facilities the US Mint maintains at Philadelphia (coins minted there carry either no mint mark or a "P"), Denver (coins minted there carry a "D"), and San Francisco (coins minted there carry a "P"). In 1996, however, the Roosevelt Dime was minted at four facilities. Where was the fourth facility and what was its mint mark?,

The Answer is a Little Further Down the Page!

The value of a coin is based on two factors. The first is how rare the coin is. This is a combination of how many coins were originally minted, and what happened to them. Some are destroyed accidentally. Some have been recalled by the government. Collectors have taken some out of circulation. As a particular type of coin has fewer examples available, it usually becomes more valuable. The other factor is the physical condition of a coin. The closer a specimen is to perfect is, the more valuable it becomes. So a rare, perfect coin is much more valuable than a common, worn coin.

The American Numismatic has developed a grading system to describe the condition of a coin. What I will discuss here is coins that have been minted to go into general circulation, released. The conditions of the coins are represented by names, as well as a combination of letters and numbers. I have summarized some general conditions here along with some highlights for selected grades of the Roosevelt Dime.

Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70) This indicates a coin in perfect, new condition. It shows no trace of handling, wear, or contact with other coins.

Gem Uncirculated (MS-65) This is an above average uncirculated coin. It may be brilliant, or it may be lightly toned. There are very few contact marks either on either surface of the coin or on the rim.

Choice Uncirculated (MS-63) This coin has some distracting contact marks and/or blemishes in the prime focal areas of one or both surfaces. The luster of the coin may be impaired.

Uncirculated (MS-60) This coin has no trace of wear, but it may show several contact marks, and the surface of the coin may lack luster, or even be spotted.

Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55) There is evidence of friction on the high points of the coin's design, but most of the mint luster remains. Some wear is evident in the hair above Roosevelt's ear. There is also a trace of wear on the highest points of the flame on the reverse side.

About Uncirculated (AU-50) This coin shows traces of light wear on many of the high points of the coin. At least half of the original mint luster is still present.

Choice Extremely Fine (EF-45) The coin exhibits light overall wear on the highest points of the coin. Some of the original mint luster is still evident. All design details are still very clear and sharp.

Extremely Fine (EF-40) There is light wear throughout the design, but all features of the design are still sharp and well-defined. Although not an essential element to the the definition of this grade, some traces of mint luster may still exist. Some wear is now evident at Roosevelt's cheek and the upper tip of his ear. On the reverse, the details of the torch are only partially separated.

Choice Very Fine (VF-30) Light, even wear on the surface and highest parts throughout the design. All major features of the design, as well as al lettering remain sharp. Roosevelt's chin is starting to wear and hair lines are weak.

Very Fine (VF-20) While all major details of the design remain clear, there is moderate wear on high points of the coin's design. Three fourths of the details are still visible in Roosevelt's hair. On the reverse, the flame is worn, but a few lines are visible. All torch lines are worn, but they are still bold.

Fine (F-12) There is moderate to considerable even wear. The design remains bold, and the overall appearance of the coin is still pleasing to the eye.

Very Good (VG-8) The coin is well worn with the main features of the design remaining clear and bold, although they have been worn somewhat flat.

Good (G-4) This coin is heavily worn. The design is still visible, but many of the details are flat, and the design is faint in some areas.

About Good (AG-3) This coin is very heavily worn with portions of the lettering, date, and legend have been worn smooth. In many instances, the date is barely readable.

John Sinnock, the chief engraver of the US Mint at the time, designed the Roosevelt Dime. He was a logical choice because he had already produced a likeness of Roosevelt for the 1941 Inaugural Medal (See the Picture Below). When the design was accepted and produced on the coin, Sinnock's initials "JS" appeared below the tip of Roosevelt's bust on the obverse of the coin.

A rumor soon started that there was a Russian spy, or at least a Russian sympathizer within the US Mint. After all, the rumor said, why else would Russian dictator Joseph Stalin's initials (JS) appear right below the image of Roosevelt?

When Sinnock was asked to design the Benjamin Franklin half dollar two years later, Sinnock's initials appeared once again on the coin, but this time including his middle initial, "R." Stalin's middle initial was "V."

So, the answer to the question is an emphatic "NO!"

By the way, I have not located a picture of John R. Sinnock. If you have a photograph of Mr. Sinnock that this page could use, please forward it to me. Thanks for your help!