2008 Set in Progress
10C Clad

Owner Comments:

In a break with its 40-year tradition of enlisting outside artists in the design of new coins, the Mint assigned the dime design task to Chief Engraver John Sinnock.

After the initial designs were rejected and a competition was created to design this dime under severe time constraints, Sinnock went back to his workshop to make the desired improvements. His small head of Roosevelt with large mottos was replaced by the now familiar, larger portrait with a miniscule IN GOD WE TRUST. As it fit the available space, LIBERTY remained in large letters but was moved to the left from its former position directly above the portrait. The date, and Sinnock's initials JS, were quite small and appeared below the truncation of Roosevelt's neck. The reverse featured an upright torch, symbolizing freedom, flanked by branches of olive and oak, respectively denoting peace and victory. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM was awkwardly spaced between these elements in a single line. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and ONE DIME were arranged in arcs around the periphery, separated from one another by ornamental dots. At the eleventh hour, these revised models were approved on January 8, 1946 by the Commission of Fine Arts and Treasury Secretary Fred Vinson. Accompanying this announcement was an order from Director Ross to commence the production of hubs and dies immediately and to begin coinage as soon as possible.