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 Replies: 15 / Views: 746 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12250 Posts |
Years before honoring President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) on the US 10-cent coin was contemplated, a Joint Resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives by long-term Representative Hamilton Fish (R-NY) that would have created a Benjamin Franklin dime. Fish introduced his proposal on July 13, 1939. Benjamin Franklin The Joint Resolution (JR) aimed "To change the design of United States 10-cent pieces to include an engraving of Benjamin Franklin." The JR was intended to replace the circulating Winged Liberty / Mercury dime with one celebrating Franklin. The Joint Resolution: "Whereas the Secretaries of the Treasury of the United States have seen fit in the past to honor great Americans by engraving a likeness of these immortals on gold, silver, and copper coins, as well as currency; and
Whereas it would seem just and proper that recognition of this kind be accorded that great American who is known as the "Father of Thrift", and from whose untiring efforts many of the pleasures and liberties which we enjoy today are due as a result of his untiring devotion to public service as a statesman, inventor, educator, and philosopher; and
Whereas changes have recently been made and it is understood are contemplated in the design of different coins: Therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized to change the design of the 10-cent piece to include the likeness of that immortal American, Benjamin Franklin, in commemoration of the great service he rendered to this Nation and to mankind."The JR was referred to the House Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures but was not reported out; the resolution died for lack of action. History tells us that the Winged Liberty Head 10-cent coin would continue until being replaced by a dime featuring a portrait of the late FDR in 1946. Of course, Franklin appeared on the US Half Dollar beginning in 1948. As a Franklin admirer, I believe he was better served by the larger "canvas" of the half dollar - though the coin is not without its design issues. For other of my posts about US and World coins and medals, see: Commems Collection.For my brief discussion of the Roosevelt dime, see: 1946 Roosevelt Dime. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24878 Posts |
Very interesting, commems! Perhaps if a Franklin dime had been minted it might not have suffered the design constraints inflicted on the half. The Winged Liberty / Mercury design is beautiful and also would have benefited from a larger palette.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
God bless Ben Franklin, but his mug just isn't well suited to coinage of any size.  |
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Moderator
United States
94636 Posts |
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God bless Ben Franklin, but his mug just isn't well suited to coinage of any size. Franklin or Churchill for that matter..  |
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
Very interesting!  Imagine... the Franklin dime only being issued for seven years before being bumped by FDR.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3634 Posts |
Very interesting, commems, thanks for sharing!
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Moderator
United States
15381 Posts |
Great post - I appreciate you making us aware of these historical legislative events which have informed our coinage to this day.
But we in general know nothing of them - and your shining the light of awareness to the events and proposals of these What If is informative in the best spirit of sharing knowledge.
Thank you for sharing your scholarship with us.
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Moderator
Australia
16805 Posts |
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History tells us that the Winged Liberty Head 10-cent coin would continue until being replaced by a dime featuring a portrait of the late FDR in 1946. Of course, Franklin appeared on the US Half Dollar beginning in 1948. As a Franklin admirer, I believe he was better served by the larger "canvas" of the half dollar - though the coin is not without its design issues.
Imagine... the Franklin dime only being issued for seven years before being bumped by FDR.Well, we can "what if" around the scenario all we like, but to me, given the longevity of the 1932 quarter design, the more likely outcome would have been that Franklin would still be on the dime to this day, and FDR might then have been put on another denomination in 1946, perhaps the half, to be replaced by Kennedy in 1963. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4618 Posts |
Thanks for the information! I never knew about this. I did a Franklin nickel Photoshop a couple of years ago, but I don't really remember why. I think it came out okay.   ANA ID: 3203813 - CONECA ID: N-5637 Clean a coin that may be worth collecting? Please DON'T! When in doubt, leave it dirty!! 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1780 Posts |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12250 Posts |
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Well, we can "what if" around the scenario all we like, but to me, given the longevity of the 1932 quarter design, the more likely outcome would have been that Franklin would still be on the dime to this day, and FDR might then have been put on another denomination in 1946, perhaps the half, to be replaced by Kennedy in 1963. @Sap: I tend to disagree. FDR's battle with polio and his integral link to what would come to be known as the March of Dimes was a key element in his selection for the US dime after his death. I think such would of been a driver to using his portrait on the dime at the time. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
94636 Posts |
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I did a Franklin nickel Photoshop a couple of years ago, but I don't really remember why. I think it came out okay. oh my -  |
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
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and FDR might then have been put on another denomination in 1946... Quote:
@Sap: I tend to disagree. FDR's battle with polio and his integral link to what would come to be known as the March of Dimes was a key element in his selection for the US dime after his death. I think such would of been a driver to using his portrait on the dime at the time. Commems beat me to it, which is why I said what I said.  Quote:
...perhaps the half, to be replaced by Kennedy in 1963. I will add that there is no way Kennedy would have replaced FDR if he did somehow end up on the half dollar. Franklin was doomed to be replaced with Kennedy regardless of where he landed. |
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
54280 Posts |
I made these up in 2017....   Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here)See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) |
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Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
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I made these up in 2017.... Very nice! |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 746 |
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Posted 06/04/2024 3:58 pm
