Franklin D. Roosevelt appears on the US dime.
The obverse (front) of the current Roosevelt dime features his portrait, a design unchanged since 1946.

Dime Design Basics

Launched in 1946, the dime honors President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led the US through the Great Depression and World War II. His likeness faces left, with "LIBERTY," the year, and "IN GOD WE TRUST" inscribed around it. The reverse shows a torch, olive branch, and oak branch, symbolizing liberty, peace, and strength—this has been standard since 1946, though minor updates occurred in 2025 for state quarters integration.

Historical Context

Roosevelt's image replaced Lady Liberty (Winged Liberty Head from 1916–1945) to commemorate his role in the March of Dimes polio campaign. The coin's 10-cent value ties to "dime" as slang for a small sum, but FDR's enduring presence reflects his legacy amid post-WWII recovery. No changes have been announced as of February 2026.

Common Confusions

  • Idioms like "on a dime" : Means stopping or turning abruptly in a tiny space, alluding to the dime's small size (17.9mm diameter)—not a person.
  • "On someone's dime" : Spending another's money, e.g., "traveling on the company's dime."
  • Proof dime variations : Special editions might feature artists like John Sinnock, but FDR remains central.

Feature| Obverse (Front)| Reverse (Back)
---|---|---
Main Image| FDR profile 1| Torch flanked by branches 5
Since| 1946| 1946 (minor tweaks)
Designer| John R. Sinnock| John R. Sinnock

Fun Fact

Silver dimes (pre-1965) are collector favorites; modern ones are copper-nickel clad. Reddit threads often spark curiosity, like "Who's on this old dime?" confirming FDR every time.

TL;DR: Franklin D. Roosevelt is on the dime—front side, since 1946.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.