Obverse

Reverse

5 Cents

Jefferson Nickel

United States · 1941

A standard circulating United States five-cent coin featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his Virginia estate, Monticello, on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1941
Denomination: 5 Cents
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Grade: About Uncirculated (AU) to Mint State (MS)

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 September 4, 2026More united states coins →

Explore Jefferson Nickel in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Overview

A standard circulating United States five-cent coin featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his Virginia estate, Monticello, on the reverse.

Historical significance

Introduced in 1938 to replace the Buffalo nickel, the Jefferson nickel design by Felix Schlag has remained a staple of American coinage. The 1941 issue predates the wartime silver composition alloy changes that occurred from 1942 to 1945.

Obverse (front)

Portrait of Thomas Jefferson facing left, with the inscription 'LIBERTY' and the year '1941' to the left, and 'IN GOD WE TRUST' to the right.

Reverse (back)

A front view of Monticello, Jefferson's Virginia home, with the inscriptions 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', 'MONTICELLO', 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', and the denomination 'FIVE CENTS'.

Estimated value

$0.10 to $0.50 in circulated condition, $2 to $15 in uncirculated condition

What drives this coin's value

Condition, full steps (FS) designation on the reverse steps of Monticello, and absence of severe scratches or wear.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated (AU) to Mint State (MS)

Mintage & rarity

Common, with hundreds of millions minted across the three active mints in 1941.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Weight and dimensions should match exact specifications; genuine pieces have standard reeding-free edges and correct coin alignment.

Notable varieties & errors

Double Die Obverse (DDO) and repunched mint marks (RPM) exist for certain 1941 issues, though most are standard business strikes.

Similar coins

Buffalo Nickel and earlier US five-cent series like Shield and Liberty Head nickels, though design differences are distinct.

Care & preservation

Handle by the edges using clean cotton gloves if uncirculated. Do not clean or scrub the coin, as this ruins its numismatic value. Store in a cool, dry place inside inert flips or holders.

Other united states coins

See all

United States Semiquincentennial Fantasy/Mule Concept Dime

United States · 2026

One Dime ($0.10)

Reader's Digest Sweepstakes 25th Anniversary Coin (Token)

United States, Reader's Digest Association · 1987

No cash value (Promotional Token)

United States Administration of Philippines One Centavo

Philippines (under United States Sovereignty) · 1944

One Centavo

United States Bicentennial Quarter (Washington Quarter)

United States · 1776-1976 (Minted in 1975 and 1976)

25 Cents (Quarter Dollar)

United States Trade Dollar

United States · 1873-1885

One Dollar ($1)

United States Administration (Philippines) One Centavo

Philippines (issued by the United States Mint) · 1944