Obverse

Reverse

5 Cents (Nickel)

Jefferson Nickel

United States · 1964

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: 1964
Denomination: 5 Cents (Nickel)
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

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 15, 2026More united states coins →

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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 has remained a staple of American coinage. The 1964 issue is notable for having exceptionally high mintage figures due to a nationwide coin shortage in the mid-1960s.

Obverse (front)

Profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson facing left, with the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' to the left and 'LIBERTY' followed by the year '1964' to the right.

Reverse (back)

Depiction of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's Virginia home, with the motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' above, 'MONTICELLO', 'FIVE CENTS', and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' below.

Estimated value

$0.05 to $0.25 in circulated condition; $1 to $10+ in uncirculated condition depending on grade and full steps designation.

What drives this coin's value

Condition, presence of full steps (FS) on Monticello for uncirculated specimens, and rare mint errors.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (moderate wear on the highest points such as Jefferson's cheekbone and hair, with most details sharp)

Mintage & rarity

Very common (over 1 billion minted across Philadelphia and Denver in 1964)

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeits for common-date 1964 nickels are virtually non-existent due to their low face value and high availability.

Notable varieties & errors

SMS (Special Mint Set) variants struck in 1964 are extremely rare and valuable, though regular business strikes are very common.

Similar coins

Earlier Buffalo nickels or later Jefferson nickels featuring modern clad compositions, distinguished primarily by date and design variations.

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid cleaning, scrubbing, or touching the surface with bare fingers to preserve any original mint luster and value.

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