Did you know that the Roosevelt dime was minted in 1946 as a memorial to Franklin Delano Roosevelt and in appreciation for his navigating the U.S. through the Great Depression and the majority of World War II?
Decades before, Roosevelt had suffered from a paralytic illness, and he had started a foundation to help fight against Polio. As president he would always include the appeal to help fight Polio in his many addresses to the American people. Eddie Cantor, a popular singer at the time, light-heartedly encouraged people to send dimes to the White House to help the cause. So many citizens sent dimes to the White House (2.68 million dimes!) that eventually this foundation was re-named the March of Dimes.
When it was desired that a new coin be designed to honor Franklin Delano Roosevelt the dime was chosen. This small denomination made a big difference in the fight against Polio, and it was a fitting tribute to FDR and a salute to the citizens of America and their generous hearts.
