Jefferson Nickel

USA · 1938-Present

The current 5-cent coin of the United States. Features the profile of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse.

Country: USA
Year: 1938-Present
Denomination: 5 Cents
Grade: Indeterminate due to extreme blurriness, appears circulated.

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 April 21, 2026More usa coins →

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Overview

The current 5-cent coin of the United States. Features the profile of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse.

Historical significance

Introduced in 1938 to replace the Buffalo Nickel. It was the third US coin to feature a former President. During WWII, nickel was diverted for armor plating, leading to silver composition 'War Nickels' (1942-45).

Obverse (front)

Profile of Thomas Jefferson. Since 2006, the design is a forward-facing portrait by Jamie Wyeth. Legends: 'IN GOD WE TRUST', 'LIBERTY', and the year.

Reverse (back)

Depicts Monticello, Jefferson's Virginia estate. Legends: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', 'MONTICELLO', and 'FIVE CENTS'.

Estimated value

$0.05 - $0.25 for circulated common dates; $2 - $10 for uncirculated; Silver 'War Nickels' are worth $1.50+ based on metal content.

What drives this coin's value

Condition (Full Steps on Monticello are highly prized), key years/mints, and composition (silver vs. base metal).

Grade assessment

Indeterminate due to extreme blurriness, appears circulated.

Mintage & rarity

Generally very common with billions minted. Key dates include 1938-D, 1938-S, 1939-D, 1939-S, and 1950-D.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for weight (5.0g) and diameter. On silver War Nickels, look for the large P, D, or S mint mark above the dome of Monticello.

Notable varieties & errors

1942-D Over S, 1943-P 3 over 2, 1955-D 'D over S', and 1939 'Doubled Die' reverse (Monticello).

Similar coins

Buffalo Nickel (precedes this design) and various foreign 5-cent coins of similar size.

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry place. For circulated coins, no special handling is required, but uncirculated coins should be held by the edges only. Never clean coins with chemicals or abrasives.