A Fascist U.S. Dime? Understanding the Fasces Symbol on the Mercury Dime

By GovMint: 

Among the rampant tales of secret Communist infiltration of U.S coinage - which have circulated for decades - is the mistaken belief that the Mercury Dime showed support for Fascism. It is true that Adolph Weinman’s design for the Mercury dime incorporates the ancient Roman symbol for authority: the Fasces. A Fasces was an axe made a large bundle of wood sticks lashed together. It is a scientific fact that such an axe handle is much stronger than one made of a single piece of wood – and the symbolism of great strength created by uniting smaller, weaker elements has endured for centuries. Looked at in this proper context, the choice of this symbol for a coin of the “united states” was a brilliant and visually poetic choice. 

Adolph Weinman's Mercury Dime Design

Critics who point out a supposedly evil intention behind the Mercury Dime design simply have their history wrong. You see, Weinman designed the Mercury Dime in 1916, at least three years BEFORE the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini adopted this symbol for his cruel regime – and by doing so giving ‘fascism’ a new and hated definition. As an artist, Adolph Weinman was looking back in time to the ancient Romans for his inspiration – he was obviously not looking forward to a totalitarian regime that did not yet exist at the time the design was created. While the historic context of the design cannot be questioned, the rumors of a subliminal, intentional connection still continue to this day.

The Mercury Dime, issued by the United States Mint from 1916 to 1945, has been the subject of many conspiracy theories, including the mistaken belief that it supports Fascism. This misconception arises from the fasces symbol on the dime's reverse. The fasces was originally a Roman symbol of authority and was later adopted by Mussolini's Fascist regime—which gives it modern associations with authoritarianism.

Let's explore the history and context of the Mercury Dime's design. How did an ancient Roman symbol end up on American currency? Why has it been linked to Fascism? Here's the true story behind the so-called "Fascist Dime."

Fasces Definition and Symbol  

It is true that Adolph Weinman’s design for the Mercury dime incorporates the ancient Roman symbol for authority: the fasces. A fasces was an axe made of a large bundle of wood sticks lashed together. Such an axe handle is much stronger than one made of a single piece of wood, and the symbolism of great strength created by uniting smaller, weaker elements has endured for centuries. When considered in this proper context, the choice of this symbol for a coin of the United States was brilliant and visually poetic.

When Did the Fasces Symbol Become Associated with 20th Century Fascism?

The fasces symbol was reintroduced into modern political iconography in 1919 when Benito Mussolini adopted the symbol for his Fascist movement in Italy. The term "Fascism" itself is derived from "fasces." Mussolini's use of the fasces was intended to evoke the Roman Empire's authority and symbolize the state's power over the individual.

The association of the fasces with 20th-century Fascism solidified as Mussolini's regime grew in power and influence and displayed the fasces symbol in Fascist propaganda, architecture, and even military insignia. As Fascism spread across Europe, the fasces became widely recognized as a symbol of totalitarian rule and authoritarian governance instead of its original representation of lawful authority.

Is the Mercury Dime Fascist?

Critics who believe a fascist conspiracy behind the Mercury Dime design simply have their history wrong. Especially since Weinman created the Mercury Dime design in 1916, three years prior to the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini adopting this symbol for his regime—and by doing so, giving fascism a new and hated definition. As an artist, Adolph Weinman looked back in time to the ancient Romans for inspiration. He was not looking forward to a totalitarian regime that did not yet exist when the design was originally created. 

Despite the clear historical context of the design, the persistence of rumors suggesting a subliminal, intentional connection is a fascinating aspect of this story. It's a testament to the power of myth and the human tendency to find hidden meanings in historical artifacts.