1942

I have a 1942 Liberty Dime which is also sometimes referred to as a Mercury Dime as the image reminded people of the Roman god, Mercury.  Someone carefully placed a rim around it and made it into a pendant.  (The dime itself is intact and has not been defaced or harmed)

I love it, and I wear it frequently.

The dime is 83 years old.

These dimes were produced from 1916 to 1945.  

I find it fascinating to have this wonderful item.  How many people had this dime in their pocket?  Did they go into a store in their hometown and pick up something needed?  I wonder what you could buy for a dime in 1942?

World War II was going on in Europe and in the Pacific.  In Europe, people were being rounded up and deported to Concentration Camps and being murdered by the thousands every day.

Meanwhile, this dime, in someone's pocket, here in the States.  Maybe they got a loaf of bread, or a newspaper. And now, I'm wearing it on a chain, around my neck.  For some reason, I find that absolutely amazing.

I can't help but draw a parallel between 1942 and 2025 here.  Of course, here in the US now, we are in the position of 1940's Germany - we are certainly not the good guys this time around.  And we, the population are dealing with what German civilians dealt with all those years ago.  What to believe, what to do, what to think?

I like the quiet certainty, the history, the energy that so many people held this dime and used it, while living their everyday lives. 

We can't live in the past, but we do need to be clear on what to honor and what to leave behind.  Otherwise, what did they fight for?  What have we learned?