How to Identify the Jefferson Nickel

What It Is

The Jefferson Nickel has been the standard five-cent piece of the United States since 1938, when it replaced the Buffalo Nickel. It was originally designed by Felix Schlag and has gone through several portrait revisions while keeping its core theme: President Thomas Jefferson on the front and his home, Monticello, on the back.

Obverse (Front) Design

From 1938 to 2003, Jefferson faces left in profile, with "LIBERTY" and a small five-pointed star to the right, "IN GOD WE TRUST" along the left rim, and the date at the lower right. Beginning in 2006, the portrait was redrawn by Jamie Franki to show Jefferson facing forward, a more direct and modern likeness, with "LIBERTY" in a script style borrowed from Jefferson's own handwriting. The 2004-2005 "Westward Journey" nickels used transitional obverse portraits paired with special one-year reverse designs (a Peace Medal and a bison).

Reverse (Back) Design

The classic reverse shows Monticello, Jefferson's Virginia home, viewed straight-on with "MONTICELLO" beneath it, "E PLURIBUS UNUM" above, and "FIVE CENTS" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" arranged around the border. This design returned in 2006 after the two special 2004-2005 reverses and continues today with a slightly enhanced, more three-dimensional rendering of the building.

Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge

Standard Jefferson Nickels measure 21.2 mm across and weigh 5.00 grams, struck in a copper-nickel alloy (75% copper, 25% nickel) with a plain, unreeded edge. The one major exception is the "War Nickel," minted from 1942 to 1945, which used 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese to conserve nickel for the war effort. These pieces are slightly more valuable simply for their silver content.

Mint Marks

On nickels dated 1938 through 1964, the mint mark (D for Denver, S for San Francisco, or none for Philadelphia) sits to the right of Monticello on the reverse. War Nickels (1942-1945) are unique in placing a large mint mark, including a "P" for Philadelphia, above the dome of Monticello. Starting in 1968, the mint mark moved to the obverse, appearing just below the date near Jefferson's shoulder/queue.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

Because the design has changed several times, confusion is more likely between date ranges than between denominations. War Nickels can be identified by their large mint mark above Monticello and, if suspected, by a slightly duller silver-gray tone and by weighing very close to 5.00 grams (their weight is unchanged, but the silver alloy behaves differently in wear and toning). The 2004-2005 Westward Journey issues stand out immediately due to their unusual reverse artwork.

Judging Condition at a Glance

On worn coins, check Jefferson's cheekbone and hairline first, since these are the highest points on the obverse. On the reverse, look at the triangular pediment and the row of steps and columns at Monticello's entrance; a sharp, fully visible set of steps generally indicates a well-preserved strike, while a mushy, flat doorway suggests wear or a weak strike.

Authenticity Notes

Jefferson Nickels are common and modestly valued, so counterfeiting is rare, but War Nickels are sometimes misidentified. If a 1942-1945 nickel lacks the large mint mark over Monticello, it is worth double-checking the date, since a genuine War Nickel should always show that oversized mark. Be cautious of any coin from this date range whose color looks artificially altered to mimic silver toning.