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Answers to Readers' Questions on History
Communist US Coins
The following 4 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Frightening how desperately some hang onto old ideas
- Giving the wrong impression on conspiracy theories
- Interested in the value of Kennedy half-dollar
- FDR was a commie
Frightening how desperately some hang onto old ideas
Question
February 28, 2009
Initially, I didn't think much of the article. When I read the comments submitted by readers, the value of the piece became clearly evident. It's really quite frightening to see how desperately people hang onto ideas like FDR and JFK being communists.
I'm a Canadian and I would be laughing right now except for the fact that the people who submitted those comments are just a short drive away from here. Of course, being Canadian, these people must surely believe that I too, am a communist.
Thanks for making an effort to spread the light of reason and advocating such an unpopular concept as critical thinking.
An ex-naval officer
- Canada
17345
Answer
Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, the so-called Communist conspiracy has become ancient history. Still, it is surprising the number of people that are still concerned about communism. But many of them are in their later years and not much of a threat.
After Kennedy was assassinated, some far-right political people "proved" he had been a communist with the coin example. Now, it is simply an historical documentation of the attitudes of that time.
Giving the wrong impression on conspiracy theories
Question
February 7, 2009
This is shameful. You are setting up a straw man argument that I have never even heard of that can be easily demolished, leaving the impression on young people that all "conspiracy theories" are equally vapid. The reason many people believe in a communist conspiracy is because Roosevelt's administration was full of proven communists (Harry Dexter White, Henry Morganthau and others). Shame on you!
- USA
17228
Answer
The rumors about the Roosevelt and Kennedy coins are an historical sidelight. Nowhere in the article is there any statement that ALL conspiracy theories are incorrect. In fact, many are worth studying in an historical sense.
I agree that many people with conservative political views felt that Roosevelt leaned too far to the left. Although Harry Dexter White was suspected of being an agent for the Soviet Union, it was never proven and he was never charged. Also, there is no indication that Henry Morgenthau ever was a communist. In fact, he was very respected in the financial community.
Note that the McCarthy era was well after Roosevelt passed away. That is when concerns about communists being in the government came to light. None of his charges were substantiated.
Interested in the value of Kennedy half-dollar
Question
October 6, 2007
Haool,
please can you help me. I`m interessed in the value of the coin: a half dollar coin with Kennedy and hammer and sickle. you very mauch,
greetings
B. Wiegers
Beate - Germany
14489
Answer
If you look carefully on the face of any Kennedy half-dollar, you will see script that looks like a hammer and sickle. Years ago, people that were concerned about Communists entering government, saw it as a hammer and sickle. But on close examination, it is a script of the engraver's signature.
Since most Kennedy half-dollars have that signature, they have no greater value than one half dollar.
FDR was a commie
Question
October 5, 2004
Your story about the designers initials on the coins is correct but FDR was a communist and the only reason we aided Russia and went to war was because he was affraid that Germany would beat Russia and his friend Joe.
I do not believe that Germany would ever have had a problem with the U.S. if we had not involved ourselves in their affairs. And NO I am not a Nazi or a Nazi supporter just a realist.
Bob - USA
4522
Answer
The reason the myth about the coins was popular is because some people thought FDR was soft on communism.
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