1965 Dime Pattern - J-2101, Martha Washington

Coin Details

Auction Record

$10,200 MS66 01-03-2018 Heritage Auctions

Description

A pattern dime featuring a portrait of Martha Washington, struck in 1965 as part of the design evaluation process for the new clad coinage mandated by the Coinage Act of 1965. With the transition from silver to copper-nickel clad composition, some at the Mint and in Congress saw an opportunity to update coin designs alongside the change in metal content. The Martha Washington dime pattern placed the nation's first First Lady on the obverse, a choice that would have made her the first historical woman depicted on a circulating U.S. coin. Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts and his staff prepared several alternative designs for consideration, of which the Martha Washington concept was among the most notable. The design depicts Martha Washington in profile, drawing on the Gilbert Stuart portrait that has defined her popular image for over two centuries. Ultimately, the Johnson administration decided against any design changes — keeping Roosevelt on the dime, Washington on the quarter, and Kennedy on the half dollar — reasoning that new designs would further complicate an already chaotic transition period. This pattern represents one of the most tantalizing "what if" moments in modern American coinage.

Rarity Notes

R-7 (Extremely Rare). Martha Washington dime patterns are among the most sought-after modern U.S. patterns, with approximately 10-15 specimens in private and institutional collections.

Cross References

Judd J-2101, Pollock P-2081. Related to the Martha Washington cent (J-2180) and nickel (J-2182) patterns.