Issuer United States
Period Federal republic (1776-date)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1938-2003
Value 5 Cents (0.05 USD)
Currency Dollar (1785-date)
Composition Copper-nickel
Weight 5 g
Diameter 21.2 mm
Thickness 1.75 mm
Listed coins are grade Fine to Extra Fine.
First struck in 1913, the Buffalo nickel had long been difficult to coin, and after it completed the 25-year term during which it could only be replaced by Congress, the Mint moved quickly to replace it with a new design. The Mint conducted a design competition, in early 1938, requiring that Jefferson be depicted on the obverse and Jefferson's house Monticello on the reverse. Schlag won the competition, but was required to submit an entirely new reverse and make other changes before the new piece went into production in October 1938.
Most people think that the Jefferson Nickel is commonplace (and it is to some extent) but there are rarer dates and collectible types. The name Monticello derives from Italian meaning "little mountain". Monticello was built in 1772.
Period Federal republic (1776-date)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1938-2003
Value 5 Cents (0.05 USD)
Currency Dollar (1785-date)
Composition Copper-nickel
Weight 5 g
Diameter 21.2 mm
Thickness 1.75 mm
Listed coins are grade Fine to Extra Fine.
First struck in 1913, the Buffalo nickel had long been difficult to coin, and after it completed the 25-year term during which it could only be replaced by Congress, the Mint moved quickly to replace it with a new design. The Mint conducted a design competition, in early 1938, requiring that Jefferson be depicted on the obverse and Jefferson's house Monticello on the reverse. Schlag won the competition, but was required to submit an entirely new reverse and make other changes before the new piece went into production in October 1938.
Most people think that the Jefferson Nickel is commonplace (and it is to some extent) but there are rarer dates and collectible types. The name Monticello derives from Italian meaning "little mountain". Monticello was built in 1772.