The person featured on the U.S. dime coin is Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States. He has been depicted on the obverse (heads) of the dime since 1946, shortly after his death. Roosevelt was chosen for the dime primarily because of his role in founding the March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to combating polio, a disease from which he personally suffered
. The reverse (tails) of the dime shows a torch, an olive branch, and an oak branch, symbolizing liberty, peace, and strength respectively
. The design of the Roosevelt dime was created by John R. Sinnock, the U.S. Mint's chief engraver at the time
. In summary:
- Obverse: Franklin D. Roosevelt (since 1946)
- Reason: To honor his leadership and efforts against polio through the March of Dimes
- Reverse symbols: Torch (liberty), olive branch (peace), oak branch (strength)
