John R. Sinnock
Encyclopedia
John Ray Sinnock was the eighth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint
and designer of the Roosevelt dime and Franklin half dollar
, among other U.S. coins. His initials "JS" on the dime can be found at the base of the Roosevelt bust. He also sculpted, although did not design, the Purple Heart
medal, and various other medals and commemorative coins.
Sinnock was born July 8, 1888 in Raton, New Mexico
and was educated at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art. He won the A.W. Mifflin Award for study abroad. Sinnock was well-traveled. His long time confidant was Margaret Campbell who inherited much of his artwork as well as his personal collection of materials related to the development of the Roosevelt Dime.
For ten years Sinnock was an art instructor at both his alma mater and at Western Reserve University. He was appointed Assistant Chief Engraver in 1923.
. The urban folk story coincided with the Second Red Scare.
United States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
and designer of the Roosevelt dime and Franklin half dollar
Franklin half dollar
The Franklin half dollar is a coin that was struck by the United States Mint from 1948 to 1963. The fifty-cent piece pictures Founding Father Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. A small eagle was placed to the right of the bell to fulfill the legal requirement...
, among other U.S. coins. His initials "JS" on the dime can be found at the base of the Roosevelt bust. He also sculpted, although did not design, the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
medal, and various other medals and commemorative coins.
Sinnock was born July 8, 1888 in Raton, New Mexico
Raton, New Mexico
Raton is a city in Colfax County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 7,282 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Colfax County. The city is located just south of Raton Pass.-Name:...
and was educated at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art. He won the A.W. Mifflin Award for study abroad. Sinnock was well-traveled. His long time confidant was Margaret Campbell who inherited much of his artwork as well as his personal collection of materials related to the development of the Roosevelt Dime.
For ten years Sinnock was an art instructor at both his alma mater and at Western Reserve University. He was appointed Assistant Chief Engraver in 1923.
Urban folklore
Upon the initial minting of the Roosevelt dime in 1946, a false narrative arose in the United States that the letters "JS" actually stood not for John Sinnock, but for Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
. The urban folk story coincided with the Second Red Scare.