The Jefferson Nickel has been the five-cent coin (abbreviated as 5¢) struck by the United States Mint since 1938, when it replaced the Buffalo Nickel. From 1938 until 2004, the copper-nickel coin's obverse featured a profile depiction of founding father and third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson by artist Felix Schlag; the obverse design used in 2005 was also in profile, though by Joe Fitzgerald. Since 2006 Jefferson's portrayal, newly designed by Jamie Franki, faces forward. The coin's reverse is still the Schlag original, although in 2004 and 2005 the piece bore commemorative designs.
The composition of the coin is 75% copper and 25% nickel, except during World War II (1942 to 1945) when it was changed to 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese in order to preserve nickel which was needed to produce war supplies. The initials FS of Felix Schlag were initially not included on the coin, and were only added below the portrait on the obverse in 1966.
The mint mark was on the reverse from 1938 to 1967, then on the obverse starting from 1968. Five-cent coins are struck by three mints: Denver, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Being the first U.S. Mint, Philadelphia traditionally did not put a mint mark on its coins. This changed for the first time in 1942, to distinguish the silver coins from the earlier issue. In 1988, the Philadelphia Mint started using its P mint mark on the denomination. The marks of the other mints are D and S respectively. After 1969, the San Francisco Mint has made proof 5¢ coins only.
The reverse was re-designed in 2006, preserving the same elements but with a modernised look. |
| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows, within a plain border, the portrait of Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826) - the third President of the United States (1801 - 1809), facing left, his hair long and tied with a ribbon.
Around left, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
Around right, the inscription LIBERTY is separated by a five-pointed star from the date of issue: [year]. |
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| Reverse | |
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Surrounded by a plain rim, the reverse of the coin shows at its centre the main building of Monticello - the main residence of Thomas Jefferson which he designed himself. Below that, its name: MONTICELLO.
Around below that, the value and denomination in words: FIVE CENTS.
Around above, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (from Latin: "Out of many, one").
Around below in larger letters, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |
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