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The item has featured several interesting portraits and details throughout history. Thomas Jefferson, a bison, a Native American chief, and even a goddess have all graced this item.
Who Is the President on the Nickel and Why?
Who is on the nickel coin? The Thomas Jefferson portrait has appeared on the obverse of the Jefferson piece since 1938, replacing the Buffalo series design. The United States Mint selected Jefferson for two primary reasons.
The Mint wants a complete set of presidential portraits
The expansion process
Who is on the dime and nickel? The Lincoln cent first issue was in 1909. The 1918 Mercury dime and Washington quarter were later. Thomas Jefferson had a direct connection to the Louisiana Purchase. He has a role in the decision to send the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Design Details
“In 1938 the nickel was redesigned. Entering a competition with 390 artists, Felix Schlag captured an award of $1,000 for his motif picturing Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and a corner view of Jefferson's home, Monticello, on the reverse.”
– Q. David Bowers
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Who is on the US nickel? In January 1938, the Treasury Department announced a public competition for a new item design. Who is on the front of a nickel?
The requirements were strict: the obverse (front) had to feature a portrait of Jefferson, and the reverse (back) had to feature his Virginia estate, Monticello.
German-American sculptor Felix Schlag
Schlag won a prize
Who Is on the U.S. Nickel Coin Today vs. the Past
Who is on the nickel president? In 2006, the design for this portrait was based on a study that Rembrandt Peale created in 1800. The purpose of this new approach was to present a more modern and personal representation of the 3rd President of the United States.
Period | Obverse | Reverse |
2006–Present | Thomas Jefferson | Monticello |
2004–2005 | Thomas Jefferson | Rotating Designs |
1938–2003 | Thomas Jefferson | Monticello |
1913–1938 | Native American | American Bison |
1883–1912 | Lady Liberty Image | Roman Numeral Design |
1866 | Lady Liberty Image | Wreath |
Who is on the US nickel coin? Before the nickel was a coin, it was paper fractional currency. A man named Spencer Clark put his own face on the 5 cent. Congress was so outraged that it passed a law forbidding any living person from appearing on U.S. currency. This paved the way for the Shield piece to debut in 1866.
Who is on the American nickel? While the portrait of Jefferson remains the same in 2026, the coins being minted right now feature the "1776–2026" inscription on the obverse. This is a subtle but collectible change for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which Jefferson himself drafted.
Quick Collectors Check
Check the portrait
Look at the Reverse side above the dome of the building (Monticello).
Do you see a LARGE P, D, or S? If yes, your item is 35 % silver.
Flip the coin to the back. Mint Mark Location is 1938–1964 – to the right of the building.
1942–1945: Large letter above the dome.
1968–Present: On the front, near the date.
The Full Steps test
You should look at the steps leading up to Monticello. If you can see 5 or 6 crisp, unbroken horizontal lines, you have a Full Steps (FS) coin. In 2026, collectors pay massive premiums (sometimes $100+) for common years if the steps are perfectly struck.
Who Is on the Buffalo Nickel?
Do nickels have silver in them? The Buffalo series (Indian Head item) is one of the most iconic pieces of American currency.
Who is the president on the nickel today? It was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser, who aimed to create a coin that was purely American by featuring subjects native to North America. Are nickels made of nickel or other metals?
Period | 1913–1938 |
Composition | Copper / Nickel |
Weight | 5.00 g |
Diameter | 21.2 mm |
Edge | Plain |
The Obverse
Who face is on the nickel? The obverse of the coin features a right-facing portrait of a Native American. Fraser's image was not of a single person, but a composite portrait of three different individuals to represent a type rather than a specific chief.
Who is on the front of the nickel? The three primary models identified by Fraser were:
Iron Tail – an Oglala Lakota chief and a star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Fraser considered him the best model for the profile.
Two Moons – a Cheyenne chief who fought in the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
John Big Tree – a Kiowa chief (some sources say Seneca) who was a popular model and actor.
The Reverse
What is on the back of the nickel? The reverse – a massive American Bison, commonly referred to as a buffalo. The primary model was a bison named Black Diamond. In 1913, the animal was a famous resident of the Central Park Zoo.
Who is on the back of the nickel? Fraser spent hours at the zoo trying to sketch Black Diamond, but the bison was contrary and refused to stand in profile.
Who is on the back of a nickel? Fraser eventually had to hire a zoo attendant to distract the animal so he could capture the side view.
Timeline of U.S. Nickel Designs
The Shield Nickel
Who is the president on a nickel? The first item was born out of the metal shortages of the Civil War. It was the first five-cent piece made of Cu-Ni rather than silver. Obverse shows a large shield, symbolizing national unity. The reverse shows a large numeral "5" surrounded by stars.
The early 1866–1867 versions featured rays between the stars, but these were removed because they made the coin too difficult to strike clearly.
The Liberty Head
Who is the face on the nickel? The reverse – a large Roman numeral "V" inside a wreath. The first 1883 coins did not have the word "Cents" on them. Fraudsters gold-plated the items and passed them off as $5 gold pieces (the Josh racketeer items). The Mint hastily added the word "CENTS" later that year.
The Buffalo / Indian Head Nickel
Who is the indian on the Buffalo nickel? Widely considered the most artistic U.S. coin, James Earle Fraser’s design celebrated the American West. Obverse shows a composite portrait of three Native American chiefs.
Who is on the face of the nickel? The reverse shows an American Bison. In mid-1913, the mound under the buffalo was flattened to a straight line to protect the denomination from wearing away too quickly.
Attention: Check the most valuable Buffalo items.
The Classic Thomas Jefferson Item
Who is on the face of a nickel? Following a public competition, Felix Schlag’s design of Thomas Jefferson was chosen to honor the 200th anniversary of the President's birth. Obverse shows a left-facing profile of Jefferson. The reverse shows Jefferson’s Virginia home, Monticello.
Who is the person on the nickel? To save nickel for WWII armor plating, Silver War pieces (1942–1945) were made of 35 % silver. They are identified by a large mint mark above the dome of Monticello.
The Modern Item
Who is on the nickel today? The item saw its first major changes in over 60 years during the Westward Journey series, followed by a permanent portrait update.
2004–2005 is a Westward Journey. Four rotating reverse designs (Keelboat, Peace Medal, American Bison, and Ocean View) commemorated the Lewis and Clark expedition. 2006–present items have a new forward-facing portrait of Jefferson, which was introduced, based on a 1800 study by Rembrandt Peale. Who is on the new nickel?
Period | Type |
1866–1883 | Shield Item |
1883–1912 | Liberty Head |
1913–1938 | Buffalo Item |
1938–2003 | Classic Jefferson |
1942–1945 | War Item |
2004–2005 | Westward Journey |
2006–2026 Item | Forward Jefferson |
FAQ
Which President is on a nickel?
On the item is the image of Thomas Jefferson.
Who is in nickel?
The design depends on the period it was minted. It can be native american or the president.
Why is Thomas Jefferson on nickel?
His westward expansion and other services to the American people became the main reason for such a respectful gesture in his honor.
Who is on the nickel now?
In 2026, the main figure is Thomas Jefferson's profile.
Who is the person on the Indian Head Nickel?
Who is the native american on the Buffalo nickel? It is not a one-person, it is a portrait mix. The coin features a composite portrait of three Native American chiefs.
What Indian chief is on the nickel?
Who is the indian on the nickel? Iron Tail, Two Moons, and John Big Tree.
Are there any Indian head nickels?
Who is on the indian head nickel? Check out the Buffalo series of items that were issued over 25 years.
What is the meaning of the Indian Head Nickel?
The main idea was to create a truly American coin, without European cultural influence.
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