Jefferson nickel
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The Jefferson nickel has been the five-cent coin struck by the United States Mint since 1938, when it replaced the Buffalo nickel. From 1938 until 2004, the copper-nickel coin's obverse featured a profile depiction of Founding Father and third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson by artist Felix Schlag; the obverse design used in 2005 was also in profile, though by Joe Fitzgerald. Since 2006 Jefferson's portrayal, newly designed by Jamie Franki, faces forward. The coin's reverse is still the Schlag original, although in 2004 and 2005 the piece bore commemorative designs.
Jefferson nickel
Nellie Tayloe Ross (right), Director of the Mint, and Edward Bruce, Director of the Section of Painting and Sculpture, inspect candidates for the design of the new Jefferson nickel, April 1938
During World War II, the mint mark of the part-silver "war nickels" appeared above the image of Monticello.
This reverse of the Indian Peace Medal struck for Jefferson served as the basis of one of the Western Journey designs
Nickel (United States coin)
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A nickel is a five-cent coin struck by the United States Mint. Composed of cupronickel, the piece has been issued since 1866. Its diameter is 0.835 inches (21.21 mm) and its thickness is 0.077 inches (1.95 mm).
Nickel (United States coin)
A 1796 half dime
Spencer M. Clark, Supervisor of the Currency Bureau, placed his own likeness on the five-cent U.S. Fractional currency note, leading directly to legislation prohibiting the depiction of any living person on U.S. currency.
NNC-US-1866-5C-Shield Nickel (rays)