Years
Designer
Felix Schlag (obv. later Jamie Franki; rev. varied)
Composition
Cu-Ni; 1942–45 56% Cu, 35% Ag, 9% Mn
Diameter
21.2 mm
Mass
5 g
Thickness
1.95 mm
Edge
Plain
Mints
Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco
Metal
Nickel
Design
Jefferson after Houdon; original reverse Monticello. Wartime issues carry a large mint mark above the dome, including the first P mint mark on a U.S. coin. 2004–05 Westward Journey reverses; 2006– forward a forward-facing Jefferson.
History
Schlag won a 1938 contest to replace the Buffalo. During WWII nickel was reserved for armor, so the Mint issued the silver-manganese 'war nickel.' Full-step Monticello strikes are the modern condition chase. The 1950-D is a low-mintage date saved in quantity; 1939 doubled Monticello and 1943/2-P are the variety keys. Still the circulating five-cent piece.
Key dates
Varieties
1939-P · 1939 doubled Monticello
doubled die · scarce
1943-P · 1943/2-P overdate
overdate · scarce
1943-P · 1943-P doubled eye
doubled die · scarce
1950-D · 1950-D
design · scarce
1954-S · 1954-S/D
overmintmark · scarce
1955-D · 1955-D/S
overmintmark · scarce
192 issues