The nickel is the United States’ five-cent coin.
Here’s a breakdown of what a nickel coin is:
- Value: It is worth five cents, or 0.05 US dollars.
- Composition: Current US nickels are made of 75% copper and 25% nickel. They have been made with this same composition since 1866, with a brief exception during World War II. During the war (1942-1945), nickels were made with a composition of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese to conserve nickel, which was a strategic war material.
- Design: The current nickel features an image of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse (heads side) and Monticello, his home in Virginia, on the reverse (tails side). The Jefferson nickel was first introduced in 1938. However, there have been other designs throughout the history of the nickel, including the Shield nickel (1866-1883), Liberty Head or “V” nickel (1883-1913), and the Buffalo or Indian Head nickel (1913-1938).
- History: The first five-cent coin in the US was actually a silver coin called a “half dime”. The nickel, a base metal coin, was introduced in 1866 due to a shortage of silver coins after the Civil War. It was given the name “nickel” due to its nickel content, [according to Cohen Recycling].
The nickel is a widely recognized and used coin in the United States and has a rich history reflecting economic changes and cultural influences.
Is a nickel $5?
Good point! A nickel is worth 5 cents. A dime is worth 10 cents. A quarter is worth 25 cents.