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Nickel
When people think of United States coinage, they normally think of silver dollars, half-dollars, and quarters. However, there is another denomination with its own rich history that is often overlooked. Although five cent nickel coins weren’t utilized until 1866 with the issue of the Shield type nickel, there are a plethora of different nickel designs to choose from. From the Buffalo nickel to the Jefferson nickel, and more, you could make an entire collection based solely on United States Nickel coins. Browse our extensive Nickel collection to find the perfect fit for your collection and scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about the ubiquitous five-cent piece.
Jefferson Nickel
When someone says “United States Nickel” the coin that instantly comes to mind is the Jefferson Nickel. This nickel is still in circulation today and has been America’s five cent piece of choice since 1938 when a man named Felix Schlag won a competition to replace the design. There are many different qualities and styles of the Jefferson Nickel from proof varieties (both Silver and Clad) which are found in annual Mint sets, to the actual circulating coinage that jangles in the pockets of Americans across the country. Through diligent work, you can purchase entire Jefferson Nickel collections across many decades and eras. While you can scour the world looking for Jefferson Nickels to try and build your own Jefferson Nickel collection from the coinage in circulation, it will likely take you many years to do so. Take the guess work out of the equation and peruse our Nickel offerings today!
Buffalo Nickel
The Buffalo Nickel is perfect for anyone who is a fan of Americana, history, or numismatics. The Buffalo Nickel was first struck and put into circulation in 1913 and was the nickel in circulation during World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and went out of circulation just before the beginning of World War II. The Buffalo Nickel also has two different variants, one where the Buffalo is standing on a mound of dirt known as the type 1 variety, and another without the mound, known as the type 2 variety. The “with mound” nickel coins were only issued for one year, 1913, as the mound was so pronounced that the monetary denomination kept getting rubbed off so finding those in good condition is rare. Also, in celebration of the 100th Buffalo Nickel anniversary, there are entire Buffalo Nickel bags out there, holding one full pound of Buffalo Nickels from all eras.
Liberty Nickels
Before the era of the Buffalo Nickel and the Jefferson Nickel, there were two other five cent nickel pieces issued by the Untied States Mint. First came the Shield Nickel, which was only utilized from 1866-1883. The next design, the Liberty Nickel, held the title of America’s primary five cent coin for over thirty years. Struck and put into circulation in 1883, the Liberty Nickel had a slight controversy around its denomination for the first year. See, while the obverse of the coin shows a bust of Lady Liberty, the reverse shows a stylized Roman numeral “V” for five. The problem? The word “Cents” was not placed anywhere on the nickel coins, so it became very easy for people with less than good morals quickly took advantage of the mistake by gold plating these coins and passing them off as five DOLLARS as opposed to cents. The mistake was quickly rectified, but not before some of the plated Liberty Nickels made their way in to the market.
Buy in Bulk
Not only are there many different types of United States Nickels to choose from, but you can get them in a variety of quantities as well. With nickel rolls that hold from 10-40 different nickels, you can easily start say a buffalo nickel collection, or complete a Jefferson nickel collection. If you prefer the thrill of the hunt and sorting through change for potential treasures, there is always the nickel bag. Lastly, there are Proof sets that contain proof quality versions of every denomination of the circulated coinage of that year. With a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar, and silver dollar, the proof sets give the best quality for these circulating coins.
Who Is on the Nickel?
The nickel is the five-cent coin within the United States monetary system and for the past several decades has featured the third president, Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson has been on the nickel since 1938.
The nickel hasn’t always been known as the five-cent coin; rather, the first five-cent coin in 1794 was known as a half dime and was smaller than the modern-day coin. In the early days of the U.S. Mint, all coins were made of either gold, silver, or copper, and it wasn’t until 1866 that the coin which we call the “nickel” was created and made from the common metal.
Who Is on the Nickel Tails Side?
Nobody is on the back of the modern U.S. nickel, but rather Jefferson’s home, known as Monticello, is the image on the reverse or “tails side” of the five-cent coin. In what are known as the Westward Journey Nickel Series, the 2004 and 2005 nickels celebrated the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expansion and are the only nickels since 1938 to have different reverse designs than that of Monticello. In 2006, the reverse design went back to showing Monticello.
Who Is on the Nickel Before 1938?
Up until 1913, various designs and poses of Lady Liberty were used on the half-dime or nickel. From 1913 - 1938, the iconic Buffalo Nickel, designed by James Earle Fraser, had the bust of a Native American chief on the obverse and an American bison on the reverse.
Who Is On the 2022 Nickel?
Following the Westward Journey Nickel Series in 2005, the U.S. Mint returned to the more familiar theme of the "Monticello" design on the reverse. While Thomas Jefferson still graces the obverse, he is in a reimagined pose as he faces almost completely forward, his bust being shifted to the left side of the coin. Also, the word "Liberty" is written based on Thomas Jefferson’s handwriting.
Types of Nickels
Nickel coins first appeared in 1866 and are termed as such for the metals used to strike the coin. They were also meant to differentiate the coin from the half dime which was in circulation at the same time. Even though other coins were and still are made using nickel, the term stuck when referencing these five-cent pieces.
Jefferson Nickel
When someone says “United States Nickel” the coin that instantly comes to mind is the Jefferson Nickel. This nickel is still in circulation today and has been America’s five cent piece of choice since 1938 when a man named Felix Schlag won a competition to replace the design. There are many different qualities and styles of the Jefferson Nickel from proof varieties (both Silver and Clad) which are found in annual Mint sets, to the actual circulating coinage that jangles in the pockets of Americans across the country. Through diligent work, you can purchase entire Jefferson Nickel collections across many decades and eras. While you can scour the world looking for Jefferson Nickels to try and build your own Jefferson Nickel collection from the coinage in circulation, it will likely take you many years to do so. Take the guess work out of the equation and peruse our Nickel offerings today!
Buffalo Nickel
The Buffalo Nickel is perfect for anyone who is a fan of Americana, history, or numismatics. The Buffalo Nickel was first struck and put into circulation in 1913 and was the nickel in circulation during World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and went out of circulation just before the beginning of World War II. The Buffalo Nickel also has two different variants, one where the Buffalo is standing on a mound of dirt known as the type 1 variety, and another without the mound, known as the type 2 variety. The “with mound” nickel coins were only issued for one year, 1913, as the mound was so pronounced that the monetary denomination kept getting rubbed off so finding those in good condition is rare. Also, in celebration of the 100th Buffalo Nickel anniversary, there are entire Buffalo Nickel bags out there, holding one full pound of Buffalo Nickels from all eras.
Liberty Nickels
Before the era of the Buffalo Nickel and the Jefferson Nickel, there were two other five cent nickel pieces issued by the Untied States Mint. First came the Shield Nickel, which was only utilized from 1866-1883. The next design, the Liberty Nickel, held the title of America’s primary five cent coin for over thirty years. Struck and put into circulation in 1883, the Liberty Nickel had a slight controversy around its denomination for the first year. See, while the obverse of the coin shows a bust of Lady Liberty, the reverse shows a stylized Roman numeral “V” for five. The problem? The word “Cents” was not placed anywhere on the nickel coins, so it became very easy for people with less than good morals quickly took advantage of the mistake by gold plating these coins and passing them off as five DOLLARS as opposed to cents. The mistake was quickly rectified, but not before some of the plated Liberty Nickels made their way in to the market.
What Nickels Should I Be Collecting?
Despite the variations, there are really five types of nickels that draw the attention of collectors.
- The Shield Nickel from 1866 to 1883
- Liberty Head or V Nickel from 1900 to 1913
- Buffalo/Indian Head Nickel from 1913 to 1938
- The Early Jefferson Nickel from 1938 to 1964
- The Westward Journey Nickel Series from 2004 to 2005
Now, when it comes to the variations, certain Buffalo Nickels have sold for extraordinary prices at auction. There are of course other types of Nickels that have garnered extravagant bids at auction. Here is a list of some of the various Nickels that earned the highest bids at auctions!
- 1913 Liberty Nickel–The Olsen Specimen
- 1918/7-D Buffalo Nickel–Doubled Die Obverse
- 1926-S Buffalo Nickel
- 1916 Buffalo Nickel–Doubled Die Obverse
- 1913-D Buffalo Nickel–Type 2
Buy Nickel Coins in Bulk
Not only are there many different types of United States Nickels to choose from, but you can get them in a variety of quantities as well. With nickel rolls that hold from 10-40 different nickels, you can easily start say a buffalo nickel collection, or complete a Jefferson nickel collection. If you prefer the thrill of the hunt and sorting through change for potential treasures, there is always the nickel bag. Lastly, there are Proof sets that contain proof quality versions of every denomination of the circulated coinage of that year. With a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar, and silver dollar, the proof sets give the best quality for these circulating coins.
Buying Collectible Nickels at GovMint.com
GovMint.com is one of the top authorities with U.S. coinage, no matter the year, and has been serving the industry for over 30 years. We are one of the largest distributors of collectible coins and currency issues in the United States. As a private retailer, we are not affiliated with the U.S. government or U.S. Treasury in any way. Through our various endeavors, we have been able to provide collectors like you with leading-edge product introductions and new innovations within the collecting field.
GovMint.com is an authorized dealer for coins that are authenticated, certified, and graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). We are a resource you can trust!
