The Jefferson Nickel
The longest circulating five-cent coin is the Jefferson Nickel. It first appeared in 1938 after replacing the Buffalo Nickel which was first minted in 1913. Over the years, the Jefferson Nickel has seen modifications when it came to its obverse and reverse design, as well as a change in its metal composition. As of this year, it has been around for 80 years in circulation.
The History of the Jefferson Nickel
In early 1938, the United States Treasury Department wanted to create a new five-cent coin that will replace the Buffalo Nickel. The Buffalo Nickel has already been in circulation for the past 25 years, and it was time for a change in the nickel’s design. So, a competition was held to the public.
The criteria for the new five-cent specifically asked to feature what the US Treasury Department called as “an authentic portrait” of the third president, President Thomas Jefferson on the obverse. As for the reverse side of the coin, Jefferson’s historic home, Monticello will be featured. The public was made aware of the criteria and deadlines, and at the end of the competition, a total of 390 designs were submitted.
Out of all the designs, Felix Schlag’s entry reigned supreme. He was a German-American sculptor at the time of the contest. In the end, he received a prize amounting to $1,000.00. despite winning the competition, his design for the reverse was met with criticisms by the Federal Commission of Fine Arts. Since his design was rejected, it was only after a couple of debates and revision that the final design was approved.
The minting of the Jefferson Nickel was delayed, and it is only in September that the coin was released. The coins were minted in three US Mints – Philadelphia, San Francisco and Denver – all coins bearing the respective mintmark of the Mint they were coined with the exception of the Philadelphia Mint. Coins minted in San Francisco bears the mintmark S while those produced in Denver has D mintmarks. As for those minted in Philadelphia, the coins were only struck with the mintmark P starting 1980.
The Four Types of the Jefferson Nickel according to PCGS Coin Facts
Type 1 Original Design, Vintage Jefferson Nickel
The Type 1 Jefferson Nickel weighs 5.00 grams, is 21.20 mm in diameter, has a plain edge and is composed of 75% Copper and 25% Nickel. These were minted from 1938-1964. The obverse features a portrait of President Thomas Jefferson facing left. IN GOD WE TRUST is seen on the left side of the coin while the word LIBERTY * Date minted is on the right side of the obverse.
For the reverse, a classic rendition of Jefferson’s home is featured with its name, MONTICELLO just below the building. The legend E PLURIBUS UNUM is seen on top while the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is on the bottom of the coin. the denomination FIVE CENTS is situated in between MONTICELLO and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The mintmark is them located on the right side of Jefferson’s home.
Regular Strike
1938 – 19,496,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1938-D – 5,376,000 pieces minted in Denver
1938-S – 4,105,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1939 – 120,627,535
- 1939 Reverse of 1938
- 1939 Reverse of 1940
- 1939 Doubled Monticello
1939-D – 3,514,000 pieces minted in Denver
- 1939-D Reverse of 1938
- 1939-D Reverse of 1940
1939-S -6,630,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
- 1939-S Reverse of 1938
- 1939-S Reverse of 1940
1940 – 176,485,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1940-D – 43,540,000 pieces minted in Denver
1940-S -36,690,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1941 -203,265,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1941-D – 53,432,000 pieces minted in Denver
1941-S – 43,445,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1942 – 49,789,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1942-D -13,938,000 pieces minted in Denver
- 1942-D/D D/Horizontal D
1946 – 161,116,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1946-D – 45,292,200 pieces minted in Denver
1946-S – 13,560,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1947 – 95,000,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1947-D – 37,822,000 pieces minted in Denver
1947-S – 24,720,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1948 – 89,348,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1948-D – 44,734,000 pieces minted in Denver
1948-S – 11,300,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1949 – 60,652,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1949-D – 36,498,000 pieces minted in Denver
- 1949-D/S
1949-S – 9,716,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1950 – 9,796,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1950-D – 2,630,030 pieces minted in Denver
1951 – 28,552,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1951-D – 20,460,000 pieces minted in Denver
1951-S – 7,776,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1952 – 63,988,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1952-D – 30,638,000 pieces minted in Denver
1952-S – 20,572,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1953 – 46,644,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1953-D – 59,878,600 pieces minted in Denver
1953-S – 19,210,900 pieces minted in San Francisco
1954 – 47,684,050 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1954-D – 117,183,060 pieces minted in Denver
1954-S – 29,384,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
- 1954-S/D
1955 – 7,888,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1955-D – 74,464,100 pieces minted in Denver
- 1955-D/S
1956 – 35,216,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1956-D – 67,222,940 pieces minted in Denver
1957 – 38,400,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1957-D – 136,828,900 pieces minted in Denver
1958 – 17,088,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1958-D – 168,249,120 pieces minted in Denver
1959 – 27,248,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1959-D – 160,738,240 pieces minted in Denver
1960 – 55,416,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1960-D – 192,582,180 pieces minted in Denver
1961 – 73,640,100 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1961-D – 229,342,760 pieces minted in Denver
1962 – 97,384,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1962-D – 280,195,720 pieces minted in Denver
1963 – 175,784,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1963-D – 276,829,460 pieces minted in Denver
1964 – 1,024,672,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1964-D – 1,787,297,160 pieces minted in Denver
Proofs
1938 – 19,365 ((estimated)) pieces minted in Philadelphia
1939 – 12,535 pieces minted in Philadelphia
- 1939 Reverse of 1940
1940 – 14,158 pieces minted in Philadelphia
- 1940 Reverse of 1938
1941 – 18,720 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1942 – 29,600 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1950 – 51,386 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1951 – 57,500 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1952 – 81,980 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1953 – 128,800 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1954 – 233,300 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1955 – 378,200 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1956 – 669,384 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1957 – 1,247,952 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1958 – 875,652 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1959 – 1,149,291 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1960 – 1,691,602 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1961 – 3,028,144 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1962 – 3,218,019 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1963 – 3,075,645 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1964 – 3,950,762 pieces minted in Philadelphia
Special Strikes
1964 SMS – 3,950,762 pieces minted in Philadelphia
Type 1 Original Design, Modern Jefferson Nickel
The second type of Type 1 Jefferson Nickel as minted from 1965-2003.
Regular Strike
1965 – 136,131,380 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1966 – 156,208,283 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1967 – 107,325,800 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1968-D – 91,227,880 pieces minted in Denver
1968-S – 103,437,510 pieces minted in San Francisco
1969-D – 202,807,500 pieces minted in Denver
1969-S – 123,009,631 pieces minted in San Francisco
1970-D – 515,485,380 pieces minted in Denver
1970-S – 214,464,814 pieces minted in San Francisco
1971 – 106,884,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1971-D – 316,144,800 pieces minted in Denver
1972 – 202,036,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1972-D – 351,694,600 pieces minted in Denver
1973 – 384,396,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1973-D – 261,405,000 pieces minted in Denver
1974 – 601,752,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1974-D – 277,373,000 pieces minted in Denver
1975 – 181,772,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1975-D – 401,875,300 pieces minted in Denver
1976 – 367,124,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1976-D – 563,964,147 pieces minted in Denver
1977 – 585,376,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1977-D -297,313,422 pieces minted in Denver
1978 – 391,308,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1978-D – 313,092,780 pieces minted in Denver
1979 -463,188,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1979-D – 325,867,672 pieces minted in Denver
1980-P – 593,004,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1980-D – 502,323,448 pieces minted in Denver
1981-P – 657,504,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1981-D – 364,801,843 pieces minted in Denver
1982-P – 292,355,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1982-D – 373,726,544 pieces minted in Denver
1983-P – 561,615,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1983-D – 536,726,276 pieces minted in Denver
1984-P – 746,769,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1984-D – 517,675,146 pieces minted in Denver
1985-P – 647,114,962 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1985-D – 459,747,446 pieces minted in Denver
1986-P – 361,819,140 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1986-D – 361,819,140 pieces minted in Denver
1987-P – 371,499,481 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1987-D – 410,590,604 pieces minted in Denver
1988-P – 771,360,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1988-D – 663,771,652 pieces minted in Denver
1989-P – 898,812,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1989-D – 570,842,474 pieces minted in Denver
1990-P – 661,636,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1990-D – 663,938,503 pieces minted in Denver
1991-P – 614,104,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1991-D – 436,496,678 pieces minted in Denver
1992-P – 399,552,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1992-D – 450,565,113 pieces minted in Denver
1993-P – 412,076,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1993-D – 406,084,135 pieces minted in Denver
1994-P – 722,160,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1994-D – 715,762,110 pieces minted in Denver
1995-P – 774,156,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1995-D – 888,112,000 pieces minted in Denver
1996-P – 829,332,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1996-D – 817,736,000 pieces minted in Denver
1997-P – 470,972,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1997-D – 466,640,000 pieces minted in Denver
1998-P – 688,272,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1998-D – 635,360,000 pieces minted in Denver
1999-P – 1,212,000,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1999-D – 1,066,720,000 pieces minted in Denver
2000-P – 846,240,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2000-D – 1,509,520,000 pieces minted in Denver
2001-P – 675,704,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2001-D – 627,680,000 pieces minted in Denver
2002-P – 539,280,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2002-D – 691,200,000 pieces minted in Denver
2003-P – 441,840,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2003-D – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Denver
Proofs
1968-S – 3,041,506 pieces minted in San Francisco
1969-S – 2,934,631 pieces minted in San Francisco
1970-S – 2,632,810 pieces minted in San Francisco
1971-S – 3,220,733 pieces minted in San Francisco
- 1971 No S
1972-S – 3,260,996 pieces minted in San Francisco
1973-S – 2,760,339 pieces minted in San Francisco
1974-S – 2,612,568 pieces minted in San Francisco
1975-S – 2,845,450 pieces minted in San Francisco
1976-S – 4,149,730 pieces minted in San Francisco
1977-S – 3,251,152 pieces minted in San Francisco
1978-S – 3,127,781 pieces minted in San Francisco
1979 – 3,677,175 pieces minted in Philadelphia
- 1979-S Type 1
- 1979-S Type 2
1980-S – 3,554,806 pieces minted in San Francisco
1981 – 4,063,083 pieces minted in Philadelphia
- 1981-S Type 1
- 1981-S Type 2
1982-S – 3,857,479 pieces minted in San Francisco
1983-S – 3,279,126 pieces minted in San Francisco
1984-S – 3,065,110 pieces minted in San Francisco
1985-S – 3,362,821 pieces minted in San Francisco
1986-S – 3,010,497 pieces minted in San Francisco
1987-S – 4,227,728 pieces minted in San Francisco
1988-S – 3,262,948 pieces minted in San Francisco
1989-S – 3,220,194 pieces minted in San Francisco
1990-S – 3,299,559 pieces minted in San Francisco
1991-S – 2,867,787 pieces minted in San Francisco
1992-S – 4,176,560 pieces minted in San Francisco
1993-S – 3,394,792 pieces minted in San Francisco
1994-S – 3,269,923 pieces minted in San Francisco
1995-S – 2,797,481 pieces minted in San Francisco
1996-S – 2,525,265 pieces minted in San Francisco
1997-S – 2,796,678 pieces minted in San Francisco
1998-S – 2,086,507 pieces minted in San Francisco
1999-S – 2,543,401 pieces minted in San Francisco
2000-S – 3,082,483 pieces minted in San Francisco
2001-S – 2,294,043 pieces minted in San Francisco
2002-S – 2,277,720 pieces minted in San Francisco
2003-S – N/A minted in San Francisco
Special Strikes
1965 SMS – 2,360,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1966 SMS – 2,260,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1967 SMS – 1,860,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1994-P SMS – 167,703 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1997-P SMS – 25,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
Type 2 Silver Alloy Jefferson Nickel
The second type of the Jefferson Nickel were minted from 1942-1945 only. The composition was replaced with 56% Copper, 35% Silver, 9% Manganese since Nickel can no longer be used in coining five cents.
Another change in design was the location of a bigger mintmark just above the Monticello residence in the reverse.
Regular Strike
1942-P – 57,873,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1942-S – 32,900,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1943-P – 271,165,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
- 1943-P Doubled Die Obverse
- 1943/2-P
1943-D – 15,294,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1943-S – 104,060,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1944-P – 119,150,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1944-D – 32,309,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1944-S – 21,640,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
1945-P – 119,408,100 pieces minted in Philadelphia
- 1945-P Doubled Die Reverse
1945-D – 37,158,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
1945-S – 58,939,000 pieces minted in San Francisco
Proofs
1942-P Type 2 – 27,600 pieces minted in Philadelphia
Type 3 Westward Journey Jefferson Nickel
When the 200th anniversary of Meriwether Lewis & William Clark expedition occurred during the time Thomas Jefferson was the seated President, so a Jefferson Nickel was created in honor of this expedition. The Type 3 Jefferson Nickel actually has four designs which were all minted in 2004-2005. The metal composition is now back to 75% Copper, 25% Nickel.
The 2004 Peace Medal Type 3 Westward Journey Jefferson Nickel
The original design for the obverse remained but the reverse was replaced with a featured image of two hands shaking, with a tomahawk and crossed peace pipe. The legends the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA followed by LOUISIANA PURCHASE and the date 1803 is above while the E PLURIBUS UNUM and the denomination FIVE CENTS are below the featured image.
These are the two obverse designs for the Type 3 Jefferson Nickel
These are the four reverse designs for the Type 3 Jefferson Nickel
The 2004 Keel Boat Type 3 Westward Journey Jefferson Nickel
Minted in 2004, it features the original design of the obverse while the reverse is now featuring a boat believed to be used by Lewis and Clark during their expedition. LEWIS & CLARK and the denomination FIVE CENTS can be seen just below the boat while the legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM lies above the boat.
The 2005 American Bison Type 3 Westward Journey Jefferson Nickel
Minted in 2005, the obverse now has a portrait of Jefferson off-center and facing right. IN GOD WE TRUST, liberty is written in cursive and the year 2005 can be seen on the right side of the coin together with the mintmark. As for the reverse, an American Bison was used while the legend UNITED STATES of AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and FIVE CENTS are inscribed,
The 2005 Western Waters Type 3 Westward Journey Jefferson Nickel
The last type of the Westward Journey Jefferson Nickel was minted in 2005 and retained the obverse of the 2005 American Bison Type 3 Westward Journey Jefferson Nickel. The reverse now features a view of the Pacific Ocean where the words Ocean in view! Oh the Joy! Surrounding the featured image are the legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and LEWIS & CLARK 1805.
Regular Strike
2004-P Peace Medal – 361,440,000 pieces were minted in Philadelphia
2004-D Peace Medal – 372,000,000 pieces were minted in Denver
2004-P Keel Boat – 366,720,000 pieces were minted in Philadelphia
2004-D Keel Boat – 344,880,000 pieces were minted in Denver
2005-P Bison – 448,320,000 pieces were minted in Philadelphia
2005-D Speared Bison – 487,680,000 pieces were minted in Denver
2005-D Bison – unknown pieces were minted in Philadelphia
2005-P Western Waters – 394,080,000 pieces were minted in Philadelphia
2005-D Western Waters – 411,000,000 pieces were minted in Denver
Proofs
2004-S Peace Medal – 2,965,422 pieces were minted in San Francisco
2004-S Keel Boat – 2,965,422 pieces were minted in San Francisco
2005-S Bison – 3,344,679 pieces were minted in San Francisco
2005-S Western Waters – 3,344,679 pieces were minted in San Francisco
Special Strikes
2005-P Bison – Satin Finish – unknown pieces were minted in Philadelphia
2005-D Bison – Satin Finish – unknown pieces were minted in Denver
2005-P Western Waters – Satin Finish – unknown pieces were minted in Philadelphia
2005-D Western Waters – Satin Finish – unknown pieces were minted in Denver
Type 4, Return to Monticello Jefferson Nickel
The last and still in circulation design for the Jefferson Nickel went back to the original reverse design where Monticello is featured. Jefferson is now almost facing forward and is indented to the left. IN GOD WE TRUST, liberty in cursive writing and the date and year is inscribed on the right side of the coin. Minting of the Type 4 Jefferson Nickel started in 2006 up until the present.
Regular Strike
2006-P 5C Return to Monticello – 690,000,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2006-D 5C Return to Monticello – 810,000,000 pieces minted in Denver
2007-P 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2007-D 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Denver
2008-P 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2008-D 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Denver
2009-P 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2009-D 5C – 46,800,000 pieces minted in Denver
2010-P 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2010-D 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Denver
2011-P 5C – 450,000,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2011-D 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Denver
2012-P 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2012-D 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Denver
2013-P 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2013-D 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Denver
2014-P 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Philadelphia
2014-D 5C – 383,040,000 pieces minted in Denver
Proofs
2006-S 5C Return to Monticello – 3,054,436 pieces minted in San Francisco
2007-S 5C – 2,577,166 pieces minted in San Francisco
2008-S 5C – 2,169,561 pieces minted in San Francisco
2009-S 5C – 2,179,867 pieces minted in San Francisco
2010-S 5C – 1,689,364 pieces minted in San Francisco
2011-S 5C – 1,453,276 pieces minted in San Francisco
2012-S 5C – 1,237,926 pieces minted in San Francisco
2013-S 5C – unknown pieces minted in San Francisco
2014-S 5C – unknown pieces minted in San Francisco
2015-S 5C – unknown pieces minted in San Francisco
2017-S 5C – unknown pieces minted in San Francisco
Special Strikes
2006-P 5C Return to Monticello-Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Philadelphia
2006-D 5C Return to Monticello-Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Denver
2007-P 5C Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Philadelphia
2007-D 5C Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Denver
2008-P 5C Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Philadelphia
2008-D 5C Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Denver
2009-P 5C Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Philadelphia
2009-D 5C Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Denver
2010-D 5C Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Denver
2010-P 5C Satin Finish – unknown pieces minted in Philadelphia
Collection Jefferson Nickel Coins
The Jefferson Nickel was lots of varieties – overdates doubled dies and over mintmarks. Due to high mintages,no dates are considered as scarce. Because of this, the Jefferson Nickel is an easily attainable and an affordable collection. As for collectors, the following are targeted and desired: the 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939, 1939-D, 1939-S 1950-D and 1961.
One can purchase PCGS-graded Jefferson Nickel coins from $1.00-27,500.00. Since most Jefferson Nickels are cheap, it makes a fun and easy collection that will continuously grow in number up until the time the design is retained. If you want to start a coin collection wherein you don’t need a lot of money to pull out from your and with less stress and difficulty, then the Jefferson Nickel is one you can start with.
References:
PCGS, PCGS CoinFacts, NGC Coin, Coin Community