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Today's featured article The Mercury dime is a ten-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from 1916 to 1945. Designed by Adolph Weinman, it gained its common name as the obverse depiction of a young Liberty, identifiable by her winged Phrygian cap, was confused with the Roman god Mercury. The coin's reverse depicts a fasces, symbolizing unity and strength, and an olive branch, signifying peace. By 1916, the dime, quarter, and half dollar designed by Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber had been struck for 25 years, and could be replaced by the Treasury, of which the Mint is a part, without Congressional authorization. Mint officials were under the misapprehension that the designs had to be changed, and held a competition among three sculptors, in which Barber, who had been in his position for 36 years, also took part. Weinman's designs for the dime and half dollar were selected. Although the new coin's design was admired for its beauty, the Mint made modifications to it upon learning that vending machine manufacturers were having difficulties making the new dime work in their devices. The coin continued to be minted until 1945, when the Treasury ordered that a new design, featuring recently deceased president Franklin Roosevelt, take its place. (more...) Recently featured: Northern Pintail – SMS Friedrich der Grosse – Southern Cross Expedition Did you know... From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park contains dozens of monuments, including the Bawaman, Jama (pictured), Kevada, Lila Gumbaj, and Nagina mosques, as well as the Kalika Mata Temple atop Pavagadh Hill? ... that despite being a nine-time Australian WNBL Defensive Player of the Year, Emily McInerny was not selected to play for the national team at three Olympic Games? ... that in certain species of bees, ants, and wasps, workers sometimes cannibalize the colony's eggs if they aren't laid by the queen? ... that Millennium's "Anamnesis" features the song "Dancing Barefoot" by Patti Smith? ... that Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuart's Chambersburg Raid was his second ride around McClellan? ... that the extinct pseudoscorpion Pseudogarypus synchrotron is named for the synchrotron imaging equipment?

In the news Hilary Mantel wins the Man Booker Prize for the second time in four years for her novel Bring Up the Bodies. Pakistani child activist Malala Yousafzai, shot by a Taliban gunman last week, is sent to the United Kingdom for treatment. Norodom Sihanouk, former King of Cambodia, dies at the age of 89. Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner sets records for the highest manned balloon flight, highest skydive and fastest freefall speed. The High Court of Botswana rules that women have the constitutional right to inherit property. The European Union (flag pictured) is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe". On this day... October 17: Dessalines Day in Haiti (1806) 1931 – American gangster Al Capone was convicted on five counts of income tax evasion. 1943 – The Holocaust: Three days after a successful revolt by inmates, Sobibor extermination camp in eastern Poland was closed. 1956 – Queen Elizabeth II opened the world's first commercial nuclear power plant at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England. 1964 – Prime Minister of Australia Robert Menzies opened the artificial Lake Burley Griffin (pictured) in the middle of the capital Canberra. 1989 – The 6.9 Mw Loma Prieta earthquake struck California's San Francisco Bay Area, killing 63 people, injuring 3,757, and leaving at least 8,000 homeless. More anniversaries: October 16 – October 17 – October 18 It is now October 17, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture The Lion Tower is a small fortress located at the far eastern end of the Tripoli harbor in North Lebanon. The tower was named after the relief decorations depicting lions that used to line the facade. The structure dates to the end of the 15th century and is attributed to the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay. The tower is considered an exceptional example of Mamluk military architecture. Photo: American Colony, Jerusalem; Restoration: Chick Bowen Recently featured: Sooty Oystercatcher – Laguna Beach, California – Tabby cat

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