Nickel (United States)
Value:	0. 05 U.S. dollar
Mass:	5. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been 000 g  (0. For other uses of the words gram or gramme see Gram (disambiguation. 1615 troy oz)
Diameter:	21. Troy weight is a system of units of Mass customarily used for Precious metals Black powder, and Gemstones Named after Troyes 21 mm  (0. The Millimetre ( American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to 835 in)
Thickness:	1. Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. 95 mm  (0. 077 in)
Edge:	plain
Composition:	75% Cu 25% Ni "Wartime Nickels" From mid-1942 to 1945 56% Cu 35% Ag 9% Mn
Years of minting:	1866–Present, excepting 1922, 1932, and 1933
Catalog number:	-
Obverse
Design:	Thomas Jefferson
Designer:	Jamie Franki
Design date:	2006
Reverse
Design:	Monticello
Designer:	Felix Schlag
Design date:	1938

The United States five-cent coin, commonly called a nickel, is a unit of currency equaling one-twentieth, or five hundredths, of a United States dollar. Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 Nickel (ˈnɪkəl is a metallic Chemical element with the symbol Ni and Atomic number 28 Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 Silver (ˈsɪlvɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol " Ag " (argentum from the Ancient Greek: ἀργήντος - argēntos gen Manganese (ˈmæŋgəniːz is a Chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Monticello (mɒntəˈtʃɛloʊ located near Charlottesville, Virginia, was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Felix Oscar Schlag (December 4 1891 &ndash March 9 1974 was the designer of the United States five cent coin in use from 1938 to 2004 Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In many national currencies, the cent is a monetary unit that equals 1/100 of the basic monetary unit main - title Coin keywords numismatics coin review A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been

The nickel's design since 1938 has featured a profile of President Thomas Jefferson on the obverse. Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence From 1938 to 2003, Monticello was featured on the reverse. Monticello (mɒntəˈtʃɛloʊ located near Charlottesville, Virginia, was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States For 2004 and 2005, nickels featured new designs to commemorate the bicentennials of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition; these new designs were called the Westward Journey nickel series. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For the film see Louisiana Purchase (film. The Louisiana Purchase (French Vente de la Louisiane "Louisiana Sale" In 2006, Monticello returned to the reverse, while a new image of Jefferson facing forward was featured on the obverse. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

General history

Prior to introduction of the nickel, five-cent pieces were very small silver coins called half dimes. Silver (ˈsɪlvɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol " Ag " (argentum from the Ancient Greek: ἀργήντος - argēntos gen The half dime, or half disme, was a Silver Coin, valued at five cents formerly minted in the United States. Due to shortages of silver during and after the American Civil War, an alternative metal was needed for five-cent coinage, and the copper-nickel alloy still in use today was selected. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 Nickel (ˈnɪkəl is a metallic Chemical element with the symbol Ni and Atomic number 28 Numerous problems plagued the coinage of nickels through the middle of the 20th century due to the extreme hardness of the alloy, but modern minting equipment has proven more than adequate for the task.

Nickels have always had a value of one cent per gram (even when special nickel-free versions were issued temporarily during World War II). For other uses of the words gram or gramme see Gram (disambiguation. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including They were designed as 5 grams in the metric units when they were introduced in 1866, shortly before the Act of July 28, 1866 declared the metric system to be legal for use in the United States. Year 1866 ( MDCCCLXVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

Applying the term "nickel" to a coin actually precedes the usage of five-cent pieces made from nickel alloy. The term was originally applied to the Indian Head cent coin from 1859–1864 which was composed of copper-nickel. The Indian Head one- cent Coin also known as an Indian Penny was produced by the United States Mint from 1859 to 1909 at the Philadelphia Year 1859 ( MDCCCLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Throughout the Civil War these cents were referred to as "nickels" or "nicks". When the three-cent nickel came onto the scene in 1865, these were the new "nickels" to the common person on the street. In 1866, the Shield nickel hit the spotlight and forever changed the way Americans associated coins made from nickel alloy with a particular denomination. The Shield nickel, minted from 1866 to 1883, was America 's first nickel five-cent piece.

Local calls placed from public phone booths in the United States cost a nickel in most places until the early 1950s, when the charge was doubled to a dime (10 cents). The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive The dime is a coin worth Ten cents, or one tenth of a United States dollar. However, in some places — notably in New Orleans, but mostly in scattered rural areas — the price for such calls remained at a nickel as late as the mid-1970s. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. This gave rise to the phrase "It's your nickel" in conversations to refer to the prerogative of the person who paid for the phone call to steer the conversation. Cost of a ride on a public transit vehicle — such as a bus or subway — also stood at a nickel during the same period that a pay-phone call carried that charge, in many cities. A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway or metro(politan system is an electric passenger railway

Shield nickel (1866–1883)

Main article: Shield nickel

The shield nickel, designed by James B. Longacre, was the first nickel five-cent piece minted in the United States, in accordance with the Act of May 16, 1866. The Shield nickel, minted from 1866 to 1883, was America 's first nickel five-cent piece. James Barton Longacre ( August 11, 1794 &ndash January 1, 1869) an American engraver was the fourth Chief Engraver of the There is an early variety with rays passing from the numeral 5 through the spaces between the stars. These were minted only in 1866 and part of 1867. Year 1866 ( MDCCCLXVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Longacre's original design had failed to take into account the difficulties of minting with such a hard alloy, and the rays caused a general lack of detail in areas on the opposite face of the coin.

Shield nickels with and without rays

The metallurgical difficulties were the source of many minting errors in the Shield nickels. It is unusual to find a piece that does not have die cracks, and such examples trade for more in uncirculated condition, unlike many other coins where die cracks are considered an interesting variety with slight to moderate premium value. There are also many overdates, doubled dates and other punch errors.

Liberty Head V nickel (1883–1913)

Main article: Liberty Head nickel

V nickel with and without 'cents'

Liberty Head (V) Nickels were officially minted from 1883 to 1912. The Liberty Head nickel, sometimes referred to as the V nickel due to its reverse design was an American nickel five-cent piece. Year 1883 ( MDCCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1912 ( MCMXII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting However, an unknown mint official illegally produced an unknown quantity of V Nickels with the date 1913. Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common There are currently only five known genuine examples of this 1913 coin (though many counterfeits exist), making them some of the most valuable coins in existence. At one point, all five known 1913 coins were owned by Edward Howland Robinson Green, son of the famous Hetty Green. Colonel Edward Howland Robinson Green ( August 22, 1868 &ndash June 8, 1936) also known as Colonel Green, was the son of Henrietta "Hetty" Howland Robinson Green ( November 21, 1834 &ndash July 3, 1916) was an American Businesswoman The "Olsen specimen", named for a previous owner, was auctioned in 2003 for $3 million. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Legend Numismatics, a coin dealership in Lincroft, New Jersey, bought another from collector Ed Lee of Merrimack, New Hampshire on June 2, 2005 for $4. For the next-generation Intel Atom microprocessor architecture see Intel Atom. Merrimack is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 15 million, the second-highest price ever paid for a rare U. S. coin. These coins were made famous by B. Max Mehl, a coin dealer from Texas, who in the 1930s placed advertisements in newspapers throughout the United States offering $50 for one of these nickels. The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression. Advertising is a form of Communication that typically attempts to persuade potential Customers to Purchase or to consume more of a particular Brand A newspaper is a written Publication containing News, information and Advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called Newsprint. No one took him up on the offer, which was in reality an advertising ploy for his business (and its "Star Rare Coins Encyclopedia and Premium Catalogue"), but numismatists credit his search as contributing to increased interest in coin collecting. Numismatics (numisma nomisma "coin" from the νομίζειν nomízein, "to use according to law" is the study or collection of Currency Coin collecting is the Collecting or trading of Coins or other forms of legally minted currency

The original 1883 issue lacked the word "cents" on the reverse. Since the nickels were the same size as five-dollar gold pieces, some counterfeiters plated them with gold and attempted to pass them off as such. According to legend, a deaf-mute person named Josh Tatum was the chief perpetrator of this fraud, and he could not be convicted because he simply gave the coins in payment for purchases of less than five cents, but did not protest if he was given change appropriate to a five-dollar coin. For "deafness" see Hearing impairment. For "Deaf" as a cultural term see Deaf culture. There is no historical record of Tatum outside of numismatic folklore, however, so the story may well be apocryphal. ^[1]

Sometimes the 1883 nickel is referred to as the "Racketeer Nickel", and Josh Tatum is sometimes cited as the source of the saying, "You're not Joshin' me, are you?"

V nickels were minted only at Philadelphia until 1912, when Denver and San Francisco each minted a small quantity. All five 1913 examples were minted in Philadelphia. The D or S mint mark is located on the reverse, just below the left-hand dot near the seven-o'-clock position on the rim.

Buffalo nickel (1913–1938)

Main article: Indian Head nickel

The buffalo nickel (also known as the Indian head nickel) was produced from 1913 to 1938, inclusive. The Indian Head nickel, also known as the Buffalo nickel, was an American nickel five-cent piece minted from 1913 to 1938 Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Mint marks for the coins are on the reverse, beneath the words "Five Cents" and above the rim. The Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints all participated in the mintage, though San Francisco generally had a much smaller annual production than either of the other two mints. The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its Trade and Commerce.

Buffalo nickel

The buffalo nickel, as designed by James Earle Fraser, featured a profile of a Native American on the obverse and an American Bison (buffalo) on the reverse. James Earle Fraser may refer to James Earle Fraser (sculptor, American sculptor James Earle Fraser (historian, Canadian historian Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States The American bison ( Bison bison) is a Bovine Mammal, also commonly known as the American buffalo. Fraser said he used Indian chiefs in the composite portrait. His memory was often faulty in this regard. The most likely models were Iron Tail, Two Moons and Adoeette. Iron Tail (Sinte Maza was an Oglala Sioux who fought alongside Sitting Bull at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Two Moons ( Cheyenne: Éše'heo'ôhnéšese; also known as Mâsêhávoo'xénéhe, Crazy Roman Nose was a chief of the Cheyenne Adoeette was also known as Big Tree. There are several Indians who claimed to have been models for the coin, including Two Gun White Horse and Isaac Johnny John John Big Tree. Chief John Big Tree ( 2 June, 1877 &ndash 6 July, 1967) (birthname Isaac Johnny John was a member of the Seneca Nation and They are sometimes incorrectly named as having posed for Fraser. Neither did. The model for the bison may have been "Black Diamond," from New York City's Central Park Zoo. Black Diamond was a buffalo or North American bison, housed at New York's Bronx Zoo, used as the model for the US buffalo nickel coin introduced in 1913 The City of New York Central Park is a large public Urban park in New York City, with about twenty-five million visitors annually Fraser's design is generally considered to be among the best designs of any U. S. coin. Matte proof coins were specially struck for collectors from 1913 to 1917 at the Philadelphia mint. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə

There was a type change in mid-1913 when the mound on the reverse was changed mid-year to an incuse flat plane because of wear problems. Thus, with the three mints, there are six types of 1913 nickels. There was no change to the date placement, so the dates on many early buffalo nickels have been completely worn off. As the series progressed, the date was gradually struck with larger and bolder numerals, which ameliorated the problem.

Often, dateless buffalo nickels can have their dates "restored" by applying a ferric chloride solution to the date area. Iron chloride redirects here For Iron(II chloride see Iron(II chloride. From a collecting standpoint this destroys the value of the coin, taking it from "very worn" to "very worn and chemically damaged". In addition to weak dates, many buffalo nickels — especially those minted in Denver or San Francisco in the 1920s — are found with the horn and/or tail on the reverse, or the word "LIBERTY" on the obverse, badly struck and lacking complete detail. The 1926-D is particularly noted for these defects.

Four valuable varieties exist in the series. In 1918 some of the Denver mint nickels were minted from a redated 1917 die. The resulting 1918/7-D overdate is a rare and sought-after coin. This previously occurred with 1914 Philadelphia strikes, showing traces of a 3 under the last digit in the date. Also, in 1937 excessive polishing of a Denver mint die following a die clash removed most of the right foreleg, leading to the famous "three legged" variety. One estimate is that the number released may be only about 20,000, and specimens in higher grades are particularly valuable. Collectors should be cautious when purchasing this variety since counterfeits have been extensively produced. A 1936-D "3 1/2 leg" variety also exists. However, the most valuable is the 1916 doubled die. The most well preserved examples of this variety trade for between $250,000 and $500,000 when they appear at public auction.

Some 1. 2 billion buffalo nickels were issued during the coin's 26-year lifespan, and only one date/mintmark combination (the 1926-S) had a mintage of less than 1 million. No buffalo nickels were made in 1922, 1932, or 1933. The lack of 1922 nickels, as well as some other denominations, resulted from the Mint's placing a priority on silver dollar production in that year, and no nickels — and many other denominations — were issued in 1932 or 1933 due to the Great Depression.

Because some people consider this design to be one of the best ever used on American coinage, the Mint has reused the design on the 2001 commemorative buffalo dollar and the American Buffalo gold bullion coin, a series that began in 2006. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The American Buffalo, also known as a Gold Buffalo is a 24- karat Gold bullion Coin first offered for sale by the United States Mint Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Profile of Jefferson nickel (1938–2004)

The Jefferson nickel, designed by Felix Schlag in a Mint-sponsored contest, was minted beginning in 1938. Felix Oscar Schlag (December 4 1891 &ndash March 9 1974 was the designer of the United States five cent coin in use from 1938 to 2004 (In 1966 his initials were added to the base of the bust. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ) The obverse features a profile of Thomas Jefferson, while the reverse features his Virginian estate, Monticello. Thomas Jefferson (April 13 1743 – July 4 1826 was the third President of the United States (1801–1809 the principal author of the Declaration of Independence Monticello (mɒntəˈtʃɛloʊ located near Charlottesville, Virginia, was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States The steps on the building were slightly modified during 1939, but otherwise the design did not change until 2003. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. All three mints turned out vast quantities of Jefferson nickels until 1954, when San Francisco halted production for 14 years, resuming only from 1968 to 1970, although it still produces proof coins. Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Proof coinage means special early samples of a Coin issue historically made for checking the dies and for archival purposes but nowadays often struck in greater Since 1970 all nickels for circulation have been minted at Philadelphia and Denver. Mint marks may be found on the reverse, in the right field between Monticello and the rim, on nickels from 1938 to 1964. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. From 1965 to 1967, no mint marks were used, and beginning in 1968, the mint mark was moved to the obverse, just below the date, where it remains today. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. In 1980, the Philadelphia mint began using a "P" mint mark on all nickels. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) This design is by far the most common currently in circulation.

Wartime nickels

From mid-1942 to 1945, so-called "Wartime" composition nickels were created. These coins are 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% manganese. Manganese (ˈmæŋgəniːz is a Chemical element, designated by the symbol Mn. The only other U. S. coins to use manganese are the Sacagawea and presidential dollars. The Sacagawea dollar, along with the Presidential Dollar series, is one of the two current United States dollar coins This coin was first minted in 2000 and depicts The Presidential $1 Coin Program is part of an Act of Congress,, which directs the United States Mint to produce $1 coins with These coins are usually a bit darker than regular nickels, said to be due to their manganese content (as was true of many British coins minted from 1920 through 1947). However, carefully-protected proof sets of these coins are difficult to tell from the standard alloy. A more likely reason for the darker appearance of the wartime coin was due to exposure to sulfur during circulation, which invariably gave the coins a mild and somewhat distinctive dark silver tarnish. Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16

The wartime nickel features the largest mint mark ever to grace a United States coin, located above Monticello's dome on the reverse. Monticello (mɒntəˈtʃɛloʊ located near Charlottesville, Virginia, was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States This mark was a large D or S if appropriate for those mints, but nickels of this series minted in Philadelphia have the unique distinction of being the only U. S. coins minted prior to 1979 to bear a P mint mark. There are eleven coins in the regular series (plus a moderately scarce overdate, the 1943/2-P), and they can be purchased in circulated condition at low cost. When the price of silver rose in the 1960s the "war nickels" quickly disappeared from circulation, a process often aided by their distinctive silver-tarnish appearance, which sometimes appeared in banded form from contact of coins with sulfur-containing elastic bands in pockets.

An unofficial variety of the wartime coin dated 1944 was made in 1954 when counterfeit nickels were produced by Francis LeRoy Henning of Erial, New Jersey. A counterfeit is an imitation that is made usually with the intent to deceptively represent its content or origins New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. He had previously been arrested for counterfeiting $5 bills. The 1944 nickels were quickly spotted since Henning neglected to add the large mintmark. [2] He also made counterfeit nickels dated 1939, 1946, 1947, and possibly 1953 as well as one other unidentified date [3]. It is estimated that more than 100,000 of Henning's nickels reached circulation. These can still be found in pocket change, and there is a thriving collectors' market for them, although owning a counterfeit is technically illegal. Henning dumped another 200,000 nickels in Copper Creek, New Jersey, of which only 14,000 were recovered. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. Another 200,000 are thought to have been dumped in the Schuylkill River. The Schuylkill River, most often ˈskuːkəl ("SKOO-kull" is a river in the U When caught, Henning was sentenced to 3 years in jail, and was required to pay a $5,000 fine.

As collectibles

Jefferson nickels are one of the easiest sets of any denomination to collect from circulation. The Hobby of collecting includes seeking locating acquiring organizing cataloging displaying storing and maintaining whatever items are of interest to the individual collector One can still find coins from the 1940s in circulation on occasion. The 1940s decade ran from 1940 to 1949 Events and trends The 1940s was a period between the radical 1930s and the conservative 1950s which also leads the period to be Many Jefferson nickel collectors look for fully struck steps on the image of Monticello. Premiums are paid for coins with five or six full steps. These are fairly rare, even on current issues. Proofs and special mint set coins (1965–1967), as well as matte proofs, exist, and have value above circulating coinage. List of optical topics Gloss is an Optical property which is based on the interaction of light with physical characteristics of a surface Proof coinage means special early samples of a Coin issue historically made for checking the dies and for archival purposes but nowadays often struck in greater Specialists look for the number of discernible steps on the façade of Monticello, and those without wear are known as "Full Step" Jefferson Nickels. One of the rarest, or "key dates" of the series is the 1950-D nickel. It has the lowest mintage of all the Jeffersons minted. However, they are not hard to find in higher grades, since it was known by the public from the beginning that the mintage was low, and thus they were hoarded. In uncirculated condition, the 1939-D, 1939-S, and 1942-D are far rarer than the 1950-D and command higher prices than any other coins in the series.

Westward Journey nickel series

Throughout the 20th century, Congress allowed the U.S. Mint to make changes to coinage every 25 years without specific authorization. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its Trade and Commerce. Since the 1990s the government had begun to respond to lobbying in favor of changing coinage design. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 This led to the State Quarters series and in 2002, a proposal to change 2003 nickels as well. The 50 State Quarters program ( is the release of a series of commemorative coins by the United States Mint. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Initial proposals by the Mint had a new obverse based on a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, and a reverse with an American Indian and a bald eagle facing west. Gilbert Charles Stuart (born Stewart) (December 3 1755 &ndash July 9 1828 was an American painter from Rhode Island. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States The Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a Bird of prey found in North America that is most recognizable as the national bird and

Congressman Eric Cantor (R-Virginia), the Chief Deputy Majority Whip for his party, objected to the lack of consultation with Congress about their proposal, and was particularly concerned that Monticello, located near his district, would not return to the reverse of the nickel in 2006. Eric Ivan Cantor was born in Richmond Virginia on June 6 1963 The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state A whip in the United States House of Representatives is a member of the party leadership who comes second in line after the party's Floor leader, which Monticello (mɒntəˈtʃɛloʊ located near Charlottesville, Virginia, was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Some raised the issue that the Mint's proposed new reverse did not relate specifically enough to Lewis & Clark or the Louisiana Purchase, the events that the proposed changes were meant to commemorate. This led to the enactment of Public Law 108-15, the American 5-cent Coin Design Continuity Act, in 2003. The American 5-cent Coin Design Continuity Act of 2003 (Public law 108-15 31 United States Code 5101 allowed coinage of the commemorative Westward Journey Nickel Series This act, originally dubbed the Keep Monticello on the Nickel Act by Cantor, modified the United States Code to require the return to a depiction of Monticello starting in January 2006, and permanently eliminate the Mint's right to change it again without Congressional approval. The United States Code ( USC) is a compilation and Codification of the general and permanent federal Law of the United States. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The delay and controversy meant the Mint ran out of time to change the reverse of the nickel in 2003.

Upon passage of Cantor's new law, the Mint proposed the Westward Journey nickel series. The series consisted of two new reverse designs for 2004 and two for 2005.

2004 designs

In 2004, the reverse of the nickel changed, with two different designs during the year. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The first design, placed into circulation on March 1, 2004, featured a design based upon a rendition of the original Indian Peace Medal commissioned for Lewis and Clark's expedition. Events 86 BC - Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army enters in Athens, removing the Tyrant "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The term Indian Peace Medals is most commonly associated with circular Silver medallions distributed to Native American tribal representatives by representatives of the United It was designed by Norman E. Nemeth.

In the autumn of 2004, the reverse changed again to feature a view of Lewis and Clark's keelboat in full sail that transported members of the Corps of Discovery expedition and their supplies through the rivers of the Louisiana Territory. Autumn (also known as fall in North American English) is one of the four Temperate Seasons Autumn marks the transition from Summer Keelboat has two distinct meanings related to two different types of Boat. For the film see Louisiana Purchase (film. The Louisiana Purchase (French Vente de la Louisiane "Louisiana Sale" This design depicts Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in full uniform, standing in the bow of the keelboat. Meriwether Lewis ( August 18, 1774 &ndash October 11, 1809) was an American Explorer, Soldier, and public administrator William Clark ( August 1, 1770 &ndash September 1, 1838) was an American explorer soldier Indian agent, and territorial governor This nickel was designed by Al Maletsky.

2005 designs

On September 16, 2004, the U. Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " S. Mint unveiled its new designs for 2005. They had been chosen by John W. Snow on July 22, 2004 but were not disclosed to the public. John William Snow (born August 2, 1939, in Toledo Ohio) served as the 73rd United States Secretary of the Treasury. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The U. S. Mint revealed that the Felix Schlag depiction of Thomas Jefferson was being done away with in favor of a more modern depiction of Jefferson. The new obverse of the Jefferson nickel was designed by Joe Fitzgerald and engraved by Don Everhart II. Joe Fitzgerald (born in Washington DC) is one of the designers of the 2005 United States nickel. Its circulation began on February 28, 2005. Events 202 BC - coronation ceremony of Liu Bang as Emperor Gaozu of Han takes place initiating four centuries of the Han Dynasty 's rule Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Also unveiled on September 16, 2004 were two new reverses. Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " A depiction of the American bison temporarily returns to the reverse after a 67-year absence. The American bison ( Bison bison) is a Bovine Mammal, also commonly known as the American buffalo. The new reverse was designed by Jamie N. Franki and engraved by Norman E. Nemeth. The U. S. Mint had been lobbied to include the American bison on the nickel in the hope of keeping the public interested in its continuing recovery after nearly being hunted to extinction after the completion of the transcontinental railroad. This article refers to a railroad built in the United States between Omaha and Sacramento completed in 1869

The final Westward Journey nickel reverse was designed by Joe Fitzgerald and engraved by Donna Weaver. Joe Fitzgerald (born in Washington DC) is one of the designers of the 2005 United States nickel. It depicts the Pacific Ocean and the words from William Clark's diary upon reaching it. William Clark ( August 1, 1770 &ndash September 1, 1838) was an American explorer soldier Indian agent, and territorial governor In a controversial move, the U. S. Mint decided to amend Clark's actual words. He had originally written, "Ocian in view! O! The Joy!" but as the spelling "ocian" is nonstandard (and might have led to hoarding in the mistaken belief that the Mint had made an error that would soon be corrected), the U. S. Mint decided to modify it to "ocean".

Forward-Facing Jefferson (2006)

In 2006, the nickel returned to using Felix Schlag's Monticello design on a newly cast reverse, while the obverse features a new forward-facing portrait of Jefferson, based on the 1800 Rembrandt Peale painting of Jefferson. Felix Oscar Schlag (December 4 1891 &ndash March 9 1974 was the designer of the United States five cent coin in use from 1938 to 2004 Year -of the Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar was 11 days ahead of the Julian calendar until Friday, but 12 days ahead since Saturday. Rembrandt Peale ( February 22, 1778 – October 3, 1860) was a 19th century American artist that received critical acclaim for his It is the first U. S. circulating coin that features the image of a President facing forward. The new obverse was designed by Jamie Franki. The word Liberty is shown in Jefferson's own handwriting, as it was on the 2005 Westward Journey nickels. ^[2][3]

Felix Schlag's initials now appear on the reverse. They are located to the right of Monticello, where the mint mark was located until 1964.

Metal value

As of December 14, 2007, the value of the metal in a United States nickel coin reached 5. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. 5759 cents, 1. 11518 times its face value. ^[4] This was due to the rising costs of copper and nickel^[5] and the U.S. Dollar losing its value. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been In an attempt to avoid losing large quantities of circulating nickels to melting, the United States Mint introduced new interim rules on December 14, 2006 criminalizing the melting and export of cents and nickels. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Violators of these rules can be punished with a fine of up to $10,000, five years imprisonment, or both. ^[6]

Nickels minted from 1942-1945 during World War II contain 1. 75 g (0. 05626 oz) silver. The silver content of these "war nickels" as of February, 2008 is worth $1. 06.

As of March 6, 2008 the value of the metal in the United States nickel coin has reached 7. Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common 27660499 cents, a 2. 27660499 cent premium over its face value,^[7] due to the rising costs of copper and nickel^[8] and the declining U. S. Dollar.

Both the US pre-1982 cents and all US nickels have a metal content at market worth more than face value of the coins. As of March 16, 2008, the US nickel is USD$0. Events 597 BC - Babylonians capture Jerusalem, replace Jehoiachin with Zedekiah as king 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common 07310391 in metal content; all circulating US nickels are 146. 20782% metal content at market over face value. The price of pre-1982 US cents which weigh 3. 1 grams are USD$0. 02576016 which is 157. 6% above face value metal content at market, and the post-1982 US cent which weigh 2. 5 grams are USD$0. 00683893 in metal content which is 68. 4% metal content over face value.

According to the US Mint, the costs of producing and shipping one-cent (penny) and 5-cent (nickel) coins during fiscal year 2007 are $0. The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its Trade and Commerce. 0167 per cent and $0. 0953 per nickel. Canada switched to making plated steel coins in the year 2000, where the face value of some older coins is below the metal content of those coins. On February 8, 2008, a bill was introduced in the U. Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common S. House of Representatives that would allow for changing the metal components in U. S. coins due to the rising cost of commodities and the declining U. S. Dollar. ^[9] No such bill has yet been signed into law.

See also

• Nickel (Canadian coin)
• United States Mint coin production

References

Books and articles

Web-based information

External links

• Liberty Nickel Collectors' Society Includes database of articles about the Liberty Nickel.
• Monticello image will take hiatus from coin, a 2002 article from the University of Virginia alumni website
• Virginia reels over plans to redesign Jefferson 5¢ - Legislators seek to block Monticello's removal, a 2002 article from Coin World magazine
• New nickels for 2005 unveiled from Money magazine website
• US Mint Unveils Dramatic New Nickel Designs for 2005, from the Mint's website
• Appreciations: The (Old) Buffalo Nickel by Verlyn Klinkenborg, New York Times, March 6, 2005. The University of Virginia (also called UVa, UVA, Mr Jefferson's University, or The University) is a highly selective public research Coin World is an American weekly Numismatic magazine Money is a Time Inc Personal finance magazine Its first issue was published in October 1972
• Shield Nickel, a history on coinsite. com.
• Animation of Rembrandt Peale/Thomas Jefferson nickel