The person featured on the United States 5-cent coin, known as the nickel, is Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States . His likeness has been on the obverse (heads side) of the nickel since 1938.
On the reverse (tails side) of the nickel, you will find an image of Monticello, Jefferson’s Virginia home, which he designed himself.
While the general design has been consistent, there have been some changes to Jefferson’s portrait and the Monticello design over the years.
- From 1938 until 2004, the obverse featured a profile depiction of Jefferson.
- In 2004 and 2005, special designs were issued for the reverse as part of the Westward Journey series, commemorating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- In 2005, a new profile of Jefferson facing right was used on the obverse.
- Since 2006, the nickel features a forward-facing portrait of Jefferson, based on an 1800 study by Rembrandt Peale, and Monticello has returned to the reverse.
