Designed by: Felix O. Schlag
Issue Dates: 1938 to 2003
Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
Diameter: 21.2 mm
Weight: 5.00 grams (76.16 grains)
Edge: Plain
Business Strike Mintage: 44,790,177,510
Proof Mintage: 136,899,797

In 1938 the nickel was redesigned. Entering a competition with 390 artists, Felix Schlag captured an award of $1,000 for his motif picturing Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and a corner view of Jefferson's home, Monticello, on the reverse. In the final production design, the profile of Monticello was changed to a front view. The finished product depicted a head and shoulders portrait of Jefferson facing left, with IN GOD WE TRUST to the left and LIBERTY and the date to the right. The reverse depicted Monticello at the center, E PLURIBUS UNUM above, and inscriptions of MONTICELLO, FIVE CENTS, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA below.

Certain issues from 1942 through 1945 were made of a different metallic composition and are known as "wartime" nickels and are discussed in a separate listing. Apart from these, the type remained the same from 1938 to 2003. In 1966 the initials of the designer, FS, were added to the obverse edge beneath the shoulder. However, collectors have not considered this addition to represent a major type.

Jefferson nickels are readily available in all grades. Business strikes with sharply-struck steps on the Monticello building are scarce for certain issues, but searching for these is in the realm of the Jefferson nickel specialist and need not concern the collector seeking a single specimen for type.

Full Steps

The steps on Jefferson’s home of Monticello on the reverse are often not fully struck, and if the five steps beneath the columns are all visible and distinctly separated, then the designation “FS” or Full Steps is given.  Note that if a mark or small scratch interrupts the lines, then the coin will fail to qualify. (See the second photo from left.)