Jefferson Nickel

The Jefferson nickel began in 1938 and spans wartime silver alloy, restored copper-nickel production, the Westward Journey reverses, the 2006 forward-facing portrait, and modern collector formats. The catalog keeps those changes in five separate design and composition eras.

This guide covers the full Jefferson series from 1938 to date. The one-year 2026 dual-date treatment also has a focused Semiquincentennial Nickel guide so current program evidence is not mixed with the broader checklist.

Core specifications

Issue period

1938 to date

Catalog mints

4

Reported catalog mintage

71,557,318,307

Composition

Varies by type

Diameter

21.2 mm

Weight

5 g

Monticello, wartime metal, and a modern redesign

Felix Schlag's Jefferson portrait and Monticello reverse replaced the Buffalo nickel in 1938. During World War II, nickel was removed from the alloy and large mint marks above Monticello made the silver-bearing issues easy to place in their production era.

Copper-nickel returned after the war. Four Westward Journey reverses appeared in 2004–2005, followed in 2006 by Jamie Franki's forward-facing Jefferson portrait and a restored view of Schlag's Monticello reverse.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Schlag's left-facing Jefferson portrait identifies the 1938–2004 design. A one-year 2005 portrait bridges to Jamie Franki's forward-facing portrait introduced in 2006; the date and mint mark must be read in the correct design era.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

Monticello anchors the original and post-2006 types. Wartime issues place a large mint mark above the building, while 2004–2005 use Peace Medal, Keelboat, American Bison, and Ocean in View reverses.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

• D — Denver: 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026; 35,427,371,601. Confirm the D mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.
• P — Philadelphia: 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026; 35,071,138,634. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.
• S — San Francisco: 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026; 1,058,030,159. Confirm the S mint mark together with its expected year, position, and issue format.
• W — West Point: 2020; 777,913. W identifies West Point; use the year, product, and finish to separate circulation releases from collector issues.

Representative issues that explain the series

A major-type set can cover original copper-nickel, wartime silver, postwar production, Westward Journey, and Return to Monticello. Date-and-mint collectors can then add Full Steps strike study, proofs, special finishes, and cataloged varieties.

• 1938 P — 19,515,365. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
• 1942 P — 57,900,600. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
• 1950 D — 2,630,030. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
• 2004 P - Peace Medal — 361,440,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
• 2006 P — 693,120,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
• 2020 W - Proof — 464,730. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Start with the major type, then study smaller die differences

The current catalog records 13 varieties. A variety name describes repeatable die features; it does not automatically mean error, rarity, or added value.

The issue catalog keeps all 13 modeled varieties attached to their parent issue records.

Issue catalog

From one type coin to a complete catalog

• One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
• Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
• Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
• Variety study: Choose one date or diagnostic family and record several matching markers for every attribution.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 260 issue records, 13 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

1. Nickel: Designs and History — United States Mint
2. Jefferson Nickel category reference — PCGS CoinFacts