Which President Is On The Dime? | The US Sun

The US Sun

More from The Sun

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

IT is a popular practice among nations to feature historical figures on their currency to distinguish leaders and honor their country.

As the dime is the smallest coin in the US currency system, measuring 0.705 inches in diameter, many want to know which president occupies the tiny coin.

Sign up for the Money newsletter

Thank you!

Email address

Please provide a valid email.

Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy

You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email.

Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt is the famous face on the obverse side of the 10-cent US coin

Which President is on the dime?

Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who lived from 1882 until he died in 1945, is the famous face on the obverse side of the 10-cent US coin.

Advertisement

The reverse side of the dime contains a torch to represent liberty, an olive branch that stands for peace, and an oak branch that signifies strength and independence.

Roosevelt’s face was suggested for the dime when Louisiana Representative James Hobson Morrison introduced a bill a year after his death in 1946.

The US Mint released it on January 30 of that year to honor his birthday.

Read More on Dimes

TURNS ON A DIME

Pile of dimes with 'missing mark' each worth $1k - until more were found

The coin was designed by Chief Engraver John R. Sinnock and Gilroy Roberts.

Who was on the dime before Roosevelt?

First introduced in 1796, Lady Liberty used to be the face of the dime coin up until Roosevelt’s replacement in 1946.

At first, the coin just showed her head, but in the 1800s, her full body, seated on a rock, had been used for many years.

Up until 1945, Lady Liberty had wings on her head to symbolize freedom of thought and was frequently mistaken for the Roman messenger god, Mercury.

Most read in Money

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Bank of America sign on a brick building in Seguin, Texas CLOSED DOORS

Bank of America to close all 3,600 branches in 24-hour black out TOMORROW

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows A hand picking up a crispy fried chicken piece next to a basket of french fries CHICKEN WINNER

Chicken chain 'better than KFC' to open new drive-thru diner in expansion

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows The exterior of the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store, Image 2 shows "Closing Down Sale" sign in a UK shop window SEND OFF

Saks pulls chain out of state & prepares liquidation sales after bankruptcy

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows NINTCHDBPICT001057706612 CUT RIBBON

Grocery giant 'better than Walmart' to open 8 stores across 7 states this summer

Due to the wings, that coin was commonly known as the Mercury dime.

Advertisement

Each dime has inscriptions on each side of the coin.

On one side, it says: “Liberty,” “In God We Trust,” and the year the coin was made.

On the other side, it says: “United States of America,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and “One Dime.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt has been on the dime coin since 1946Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Why was Roosevelt chosen for the dime?

Roosevelt was honored on the 10-cent coin for his leadership from 1933-1945.

Advertisement

He was the 32nd president of the US and the longest-serving president in history, as he was elected for more than two terms.

He led the US through much of the Great Depression and World War II and created historical policies that forever altered the course of America.

Roosevelt was born with polio and was wheelchair-bound. As a result, he supported the March of Dimes organization to eradicate the disease.

Since its production, the dime has not changed much in the past 70 years.

RECOMMENDED STORIES

Minor changes were made to Roosevelt’s hair, and the mint mark was shifted from reverse to obverse in the 1960s.

Advertisement

Some specialized coins can sell for thousands of dollars. In 2019, a 1975 No S Proof Type 2 Clad Roosevelt Dime was sold for $456,000, as per Yahoo! Finance.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU MORE FOR YOU

MORE FROM THE SUN

WALLET WOES

Sneaky 'surveillance' tactic may secretly be spiking grocery bills by $1000s

A NEW survey has revealed that many Americans fear what it means for their wallets if an increasing number of retailers take advantage of tech advancements to potentially charge them more than fellow shoppers.

Money

NO MAIL

Last chance for USPS customers to make switch & avoid 24-hour total shutdown

USPS customers should use UPS or FedEx now because more than 31,000 post offices will be closed and mail deliveries will stop for Presidents Day on Monday, February 16.

Money

ORDER FLIP

Two order and return changes at Costco as chiefs axe decades-old tradition

COSTCO is moving custom cake and deli tray orders onto its app to replace paper slips and extra store trips, while also cracking down on some returns as it shifts to a more digital approach.

Money

SWITCH UP

3 changes Walmart customers can expect as grocery giant eyes location change

WALMART wants to turn its Riverhead Long Island store into a larger Supercenter with a full grocery supermarket and a dedicated online pickup area, pending local approvals.

Money

Tag » What President Is On Dime