Peace out? The U.S. Mint dropped the olive branch for the new dime, drawing concern
A new design for the U.S. dime in honor of America’s 250th birthday with a missing olive branch has raised eyebrows and even sparked some conspiracy theories. Here's what to know.
A new design for the U.S. dime in honor of America’s 250th birthday has raised eyebrows and even sparked some conspiracy theories.
For years, the traditional dime was comprised of certain elements: a torch, an oak branch, and an olive branch.
But the new “Emerging Liberty Dime” drops the olive branch and features an eagle in flight carrying arrows in one foot and nothing in the other. The new designed also adds the phrase “Liberty Over Tyranny” inscribed at the bottom.
On the heels of President Donald Trump initiating war with Iran, the new dime has some suggesting the omission of an olive branch is an ominous choice, according to reporting in Fortune magazine.
But the new design predates the Iran war.
Here’s what you need to know.
When was the new dime design announced?
The U.S. Mint released first looks at the new dime — and other core coin — designs in December.
The changes, which will impact the dime, quarter, and half-dollar, will be in place for one year only as part of America’s Semiquincentennial celebration.
What’s the new dime design about?
The Emerging Liberty Dime swaps out Franklin D. Roosevelt’s face for Lady Liberty’s profile turned to the right. On the reverse side is the eagle with the arrows.
The design was inspired by the Great Seal of the United States, according to the Mint. But in the Great Seal, an eagle carries arrows and an olive branch. Founding Father Charles Thompson designed the Great Seal and said the arrows and olive branch represented “the power of peace and war, which is exclusively vested in Congress.”
According to the U.S. Mint, the new design’s Lady Liberty cameo depicts her facing the tyranny of the British monarchy. The reverse design’s eagle carrying arrows in its talons is supposed to represent “the American Revolution and the colonists’ fight for independence.”
Does the change match the presidential seal changing during war?
Fun fact: That’s an unverified rumor.
For years, history buffs have mused that the Seal of the President of the United States swaps to an alternate version where the eagle’s head faces the arrows instead of the olive branch.
The rumor was popularized by its mention in the TV drama, The West Wing. But Snopes and others have debunked this. There’s only one presidential seal.
Why is the new dime getting attention now?
An article published this week in Fortune about the olive branch’s omission has made headway for a new batch of scrutiny.
In the article, Fortune says dropping the olive branch is a “cultural signal” that’s “hard to read as accidental.”
“The Founders spent six years perfecting the balance between peace and war on the Great Seal,” the piece said. “Erasing half of that equation, on a coin meant to celebrate their legacy, and especially 250 years after they fought for ‘Liberty over Tyranny,’ says something about which half the country currently feels like.”
Where are dimes made?
The U.S. Mint produces dimes in its Philadelphia and Denver facilities. Both facilities produce circulating and uncirculated coins, while the San Francisco Mint makes the proofs, according to the U.S. Mint.
Since the first U.S. Mint was established in Philadelphia in 1792, the city has been the country’s center for coin engraving, according to spokesperson Tim Grant. The Mint’s headquarters moved to Washington in the 1870s, but its engraving operation remained in Philly, where initial coin designs are hand-sculpted.
The Philly Mint facility is the same spot where the last penny was struck in November following a 232-year run.