US Dimes

The one tenth of a dollar coin known as the dime, was another coin like the half dime that was authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. Here’s a few facts about the dime. It weighs 2.268 grams, has a diameter of 17.91 mm. and a thickness of 1.35 mm. And just in case you’re ever on Jeopardy, you’ll know that on the edge it has 118 reeds if the answer comes up. And it was produced over the years in theses designs: Draped Bust (1796–1807), Capped Bust (1809–1837), Seated Liberty (1837–1891), Barber (1892–1916), Winged Liberty Head (“Mercury”) (1916–1945), and Franklin D. Roosevelt (1946–present).

One interesting fact about the dime is that its current design features a portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt, making it the only U.S. coin to feature a former president who served more than two terms. The design was introduced in 1946, following Roosevelt’s death in 1945 and was chosen to honor his contributions as the 32nd President of the United States and his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II. The obverse of the dime features Roosevelt’s profile facing left, with the inscription “In God We Trust” above and the word “Liberty” below. The reverse depicts a torch, an olive branch, and an oak branch, symbolizing liberty, peace, and strength. This unique design has made the Roosevelt dime a popular collectible among coin enthusiasts, and it remains in circulation as a widely used denomination in the United States.