Pick up a U.S. dime and you’ll see the familiar profile of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
More than just a portrait, the dime’s design is a compact tribute to liberty, peace, and strength—and a nod to Roosevelt’s connection to the March of Dimes.
In this guide, you’ll learn who is on the dime, why he was chosen, when the Roosevelt dime debuted, what every symbol means, the metal composition and measurements, how the design evolved, and some collector-favorite facts (including special West Point “W” dimes and a curious initials controversy).
By the end, you’ll be able to look at a dime and read its story.
Who is on the U.S. Dime?
The face on the dime is Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), the 32nd President of the United States.
The Roosevelt dime entered circulation in January 1946, shortly after FDR’s death in April 1945 and on what would have been his 64th birthday (January 30).
The choice honored both his leadership and his role inspiring the March of Dimes campaign to fight polio.
Why Roosevelt? The March of Dimes Connection
Roosevelt’s personal battle with polio and his support for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (popularly called the March of Dimes) made him a natural choice for the ten-cent coin.
Officials moved quickly to replace the Mercury dime with an FDR design so that the new coin would align with the foundation’s fundraising push in early 1946.
What the Dime’s Design Means
Look closely and you’ll see that the dime carries three symbols on the reverse (tails):
- Torch – symbolizes liberty
- Olive branch – symbolizes peace
- Oak branch – symbolizes strength
Together, they summarize the ideals associated with Roosevelt’s era and the nation’s post-war aspirations. These design elements have been part of the coin since its first year.
Who Designed the Roosevelt Dime?
The dime was designed by John R. Sinnock, the U.S. Mint’s Chief Engraver at the time. His initials, “JS,” appear at the cutoff of the bust on the obverse (heads). When the coin debuted, some people mistakenly claimed “JS” stood for Joseph Stalin, an urban legend that still gets repeated; in reality, they’re simply Sinnock’s initials.
Key Specs, Composition & Where to Find the Mint Mark
Below is a quick-scan table with the most important facts collectors and curious readers ask about.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Portrait (Obverse) | Franklin D. Roosevelt by John R. Sinnock |
| Symbols (Reverse) | Torch (liberty), Olive branch (peace), Oak branch (strength) |
| First Circulation | January 1946 (released on FDR’s birthday, Jan 30) |
| Diameter | 17.91 mm |
| Thickness | 1.35 mm |
| Weight | 2.268 g (current clad issues) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Composition (1946–1964) | 90% silver, 10% copper (weight ~2.5 g) |
| Composition (1965–present) | Copper-nickel clad: outer layers 25% nickel/75% copper over a copper core (total composition 91.67% Cu, 8.33% Ni) |
| Mint Marks | 1946–1964: mint mark on the reverse left of the torch; since 1968: on the obverse above the date. Marks include P, D, S, W; Philadelphia used no mint mark on circulation dimes before 1980. |
Notes: The change from silver to clad happened in 1965, part of a broad shift that removed silver from dimes and quarters. The U.S. dime remains the smallest diameter U.S. circulating coin.
A Short Timeline: The Dime Through the Decades
- 1792–1930s: The Coinage Act of 1792 authorized a ten-cent coin. Over the years, designs changed (Draped Bust, Capped Bust, Seated Liberty).
- 1916–1945: The Winged Liberty Head (“Mercury”) dime.
- 1946: Roosevelt dime begins, honoring FDR and the March of Dimes.
- 1965: Dime transitions from 90% silver to copper-nickel clad during the nationwide shift away from silver in small denominations.
- 1968: Mint mark moves from the reverse to the obverse; this layout continues today.
- 1996: A special 50th-anniversary year includes a 1996-W Roosevelt dime struck at West Point (not for general circulation—packaged only in the U.S. Mint’s uncirculated set).
- 2015: For the 75th anniversary of the March of Dimes, the Mint issues a special silver set with a proof 2015-W dime and a reverse-proof 2015-P dime.
How and Why the Composition Changed in 1965
If you’ve heard of “silver dimes,” you’re thinking of coins dated 1964 or earlier.
In 1965, Congress replaced the dime’s silver with a copper-nickel clad construction to address nationwide silver shortages and stabilize coin production.
Modern circulation dimes still use this clad structure and weigh 2.268 grams.
Design Details You Can Spot in Seconds
- LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST appear on the obverse along with the date and, since 1968, the mint mark above the date.
- The reverse spells out UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and ONE DIME, with the torch centered and the olive and oak branches flanking it.
- The edge is reeded, both for tradition and as a historical anti-counterfeiting measure.
Interesting Facts Every Dime Fan Should Know
The Dime’s Name Isn’t “Cent” or “Dollar”
Unlike other coins that are denominated in cents or dollars, the ten-cent coin is labeled “ONE DIME.” The term “dime” derives from the Old French disme (tithe or tenth), reflecting its value as one-tenth of a dollar.
The 1996-W Is a Modern Key
In 1996, to mark 50 years of the Roosevelt dime, the Mint quietly included a West Point–minted (“W”) dime in the uncirculated mint set.
It was not released into circulation, giving it a lower distribution than typical business-strike dimes and making it a standout for set builders.
A “W” Proof Dime for the March of Dimes
The Mint honored the March of Dimes in 2015 with a special set that included a proof silver dime with a W mint mark and a reverse-proof silver dime with a P mint mark, alongside a commemorative silver dollar.
These dimes were exclusive to the set.
The “JS = Stalin” Myth
When the coin debuted, some people claimed the initials “JS” under Roosevelt’s neck secretly referenced Joseph Stalin. This was debunked—they’re John Sinnock’s initials—but the rumor endures as a quirky footnote in U.S. coin lore.
The Dime’s Symbols Tell a Story
Once you know that the torch means liberty, olive means peace, and oak means strength, the reverse becomes more than decoration—it’s a compact motto for the post-war United States.
Collecting Roosevelt Dimes: What Matters Most
If you’re building a circulation-strike set, focus on:
- Full bands on the torch (for silver-era proofs and high-grade coins),
- The 1965 composition change (silver vs. clad), and
- Special issues like the 1996-W and the 2015 March of Dimes dimes.
For everyday pocket change, modern dimes are usually common—but condition and special mint issues can set certain dates apart.
Quick Reference: Dime Specs & Meaning (At a Glance)
- Portrait: Franklin D. Roosevelt (since 1946)
- Designer: John R. Sinnock (JS)
- Reverse Symbols: Torch (liberty), Olive (peace), Oak (strength)
- First Release Date: January 30, 1946
- Current Composition: Copper-nickel clad (outer layers 25% Ni/75% Cu over a copper core; total 91.67% Cu, 8.33% Ni)
- Silver Era: 1946–1964 (90% silver)
- Weight: 2.268 g (current clad)
- Diameter/Thickness: 17.91 mm / 1.35 mm
- Mint Marks: P, D, S, W (location moved to obverse in 1968)
The U.S. dime is small, but its story is big. Featuring Franklin D. Roosevelt, the coin honors a president whose leadership and personal fight against polio inspired a national movement.
The design’s torch, olive, and oak are a permanent shorthand for liberty, peace, and strength, while milestones like the 1965 switch from silver to clad and limited pieces such as the 1996-W and the 2015 March of Dimes set keep the series interesting for collectors.
Whether you’re holding a shiny new clad dime or a vintage silver piece, you’re looking at a pocket-sized piece of American history.