Jefferson Nickel (Pre-1964 Type)

United States of America · 1938-1964 (Specific date obscured due to image blur)

A standard US five-cent piece featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse.

Country: United States of America
Year: 1938-1964 (Specific date obscured due to image blur)
Denomination: Five Cents (5c)
Grade: Poor/Unknown (Images are too blurry to determine surface detail or wear levels).

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified June 18, 2026More united states of america coins →

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Overview

A standard US five-cent piece featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse.

Historical significance

Introduced in 1938 to replace the Buffalo nickel, the Jefferson nickel design was created by Felix Schlag and has remained largely unchanged for over 60 years.

Obverse (front)

Profile of Thomas Jefferson facing left, with 'IN GOD WE TRUST' and 'LIBERTY' inscribed around the edge.

Reverse (back)

Depiction of Monticello, Jefferson's Virginia estate, with 'MONTICELLO', 'FIVE CENTS', 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' inscriptions.

Estimated value

$0.05-$1.00 in circulated condition; higher for silver war nickels (1942-45) or high-grade uncirculated examples.

What drives this coin's value

Date, mint mark, and condition (especially 'Full Steps' on the reverse) are the primary value drivers.

Grade assessment

Poor/Unknown (Images are too blurry to determine surface detail or wear levels).

Mintage & rarity

Generally common; billions produced across the series. Rare dates include 1939-D and 1950-D.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeits of common nickels are rare, but 'Henning Nickels' (fakes without mint marks) from the mid-20th century exist. Check for weight and crispness of lettering.