United States Jefferson Nickel

The Jefferson Nickel was introduced in 1938, replacing the Buffalo Nickel, and features Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home Monticello on the reverse. Designed by Felix Schlag, this five-cent coin has been in continuous production for over eight decades, making it one of America's most familiar circulating coins. The composition changed briefly during World War II to conserve nickel for the war effort, but returned to the traditional copper-nickel alloy in 1946. Jefferson Nickels appeal to both casual collectors and serious numismatists, particularly those interested in American coinage and presidential commemoratives. Collectors seek out coins with mint errors, special mint marks, and coins in exceptional condition. The accessibility and affordability of most Jefferson Nickels make them an ideal entry point for beginning coin collectors, while rare varieties and error coins can command significant premiums among advanced collectors.