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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ardatirion, post: 295232, member: 9204&quot;]&quot;<font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> The influence of Roosevelt on the nation’s coinage was felt again in 1916 with the redesign of the dime, quarter, and half dollar. Adolph Weinman designed the dime and half dollar, while Hermon MacNeil created the quarter; both artists studied under Saint-Gaudens earlier in the century. These issues are unique in American numismatic history, as they are the only pieces with an official statement regarding their symbolism. Of the half dollar, the Director of the Mint Report of 1916 states that the Liberty on the obverse is “Progressing in full stride toward the dawn of a new day, carrying branches of laurel and oak, symbolic of civil and military glory” (Mint 1916) It also states that the enigmatic pine sapling on the reverse is symbolic of America. Of the Standing Liberty quarter pattern, it notes that Liberty is “stepping forward to the gateway of the country” and that the “the left arm of the figure of Liberty is upraised, bearing the shield in an attitude of protection, from which the covering is being drawn” (Mint 1916). Lastly, it says of the dime that the fasces on the reverse is “symbolic of Unity, wherein lies the nations strength” (Mint 1916) </font></font></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">It is well that the Mint Report elaborated on the symbolism of the coins, for never before have coin designs been so closely tied to the political situation of the day. In 1916, The First World War was raging in Europe and the United States was desperately struggling to avoid it. As such, the tremendous amount of militaristic references on the coins may be disturbing: fasces or newly raised and revealed shields. However, coins are also replete with the olive branch of peace. In the case of the dime, the olive branch actually entwines around the fasces, creating a curious juxtaposition of the two opposing themes. &quot;</font></font></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">That paper I wrote comes in more and more handy every day! However, the original question was not what the symbolism meant. The question was why it wasn&#039;t changed when the symbol became associated with something else. Well, it was. in 1946, the design of the dime changed! Probably, no one thought to change it during the war. Or, perhaps they did - you all know how slowly the wheels of bureaucracy turn!</font></font>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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