Jefferson Nickel

USA - United States Mint · 1963

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

Country: USA - United States Mint
Year: 1963
Denomination: 5 Cents (one nickel)
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel (Cupro-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 June 13, 2026More usa - united states mint coins →

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Overview

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

Historical significance

The Jefferson nickel was introduced in 1938, replacing the Buffalo nickel. The 1963 issue comes from the later years of the original Felix Schlag design before the removal of mint marks to the obverse in 1968.

Obverse (front)

Profile of Thomas Jefferson facing left, with 'IN GOD WE TRUST' on the left and 'LIBERTY' followed by the date '1963' on the right. Artist: Felix Schlag.

Reverse (back)

Front view of Monticello, Jefferson's Virginia estate. Inscriptions include 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' above, 'MONTICELLO' below the building, and 'FIVE CENTS' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' at the bottom.

Estimated value

$0.05 circulated; $0.50-$2.00 in high uncirculated (MS-65); $50+ for rare 'Full Steps' specimens.

What drives this coin's value

Condition (grade), presence of 'Full Steps' on the reverse design, and luster. As a common date, only high-grade or error specimens carry significant premiums.

Grade assessment

Circulated (Very Fine to Extremely Fine). Shows moderate wear on Jefferson's hair and the pillars of Monticello.

Mintage & rarity

Common. 176,180,000 produced at the Philadelphia mint.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for correct weight (5.0g) and size. Counterfeits of regular 1963 nickels are extremely rare due to the coin's low value.

Notable varieties & errors

The 1963-D 'Long L' and various doubled die obverse/reverse errors exist for the series, but are scarce for the Philadelphia issue.

Similar coins

1942-1945 Silver War Nickels (distinguished by a large mint mark over the dome) and later Jefferson nickels with 'D' or 'S' mint marks.

Care & preservation

Store in a PVC-free coin flip or capsule. Do not clean or polish the coin, as this removes the original surface (patina) and significantly lowers numismatic value.