Drescription:  Introduced in 1938 to replace the Buffalo nickel, the Jefferson Nickel (1938–Present) features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Felix Schlag on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse. Composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, it has seen several design updates, including the 2004-2005 "Westward Journey" series and a 2006 obverse portrait change.

Key Characteristics & History:

Design (1938-2003): Obverse shows a left-facing profile of Jefferson; reverse depicts a front view of Monticello.

Wartime Alloy (1942–1945): Due to nickel shortages, these coins contain 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese. They are recognized by a large mintmark above Monticello.

Modern Design (2006–Present): In 2006, the obverse was updated to a forward-facing portrait by Jamie Franki, while the reverse returned to a refreshed Monticello design.

Key Collectibles: Early issues like the 1939-D, 1939-S, and 1950-D are highly sought after.

"Full Steps" (FS): A designation for well-struck coins where 5 or 6 steps of Monticello are clearly visible, significantly increasing collector value.