Nickel (United States coin)
The five-cent piece is a coin of the United States. Its value is equal to one-twentieth of the U.S. dollar. The since 1866, of base metal (copper, nickel) minted coin has the nickname nickel get, which has established itself as the common name. From 1794 to 1873 also a Half Dime -called silver coin was minted. Since 1938 is on the front of the coin features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president, mapped and on the back ( with a brief interruption in 2004 /05), his country seat Monticello.
Half Dime
1792 was placed with the Coinage Act, the legal basis for the minting of U.S. coins. This included, among other things, a " Disme " ( dime, now called Dime ), and a "Half Disme " provided. This year, however, only sample coins were produced.
The first half dimes were minted for circulation in 1795. The early issues were all on the front of the Liberty and on the back of a bald eagle. After the design of the Liberty - portraits these guys " Flowing Hair Half Dime " (1794-1795), " Draped Bust Half Dime " (1796-1805) and " Capped Bust Half Dime " (or " Liberty Cap Half Dime " will, 1829 -1837 ) called. They wore no indication of value, with the exception of the " Capped Bust Half Dime " on which the inscription " 5 C. " stand.
The " Seated Liberty Half Dime " (1837-1873) showed a seated Liberty on the front and the wreathed figure " Half Dime " on the back. After the introduction of the 5- cent coin copper nickel in 1865 the silver Half Dime was further characterized for a while, but eventually set in 1873.
The Half Dime was minted from 900/1000 pure silver, weighing initially 1.34 grams. 1853 the weight was reduced to 1.24 grams.
Shield Nickel (1866-1883)
The American Civil War resulted in a silver shortage, so they sought a new coinage for the 5-cent piece. They opted for a copper nickel alloy, including inter alia the lobbying of nickel magnate Joseph Wharton contributed.
The term " nickel " was initially not specifically used for the 5-cent piece, but also for other coins that were minted in copper nickel temporarily in the 19th century, namely the one - cent piece ( 1859-1864 ) and the 3 cent piece ( 1865-1889 ). When these disappeared, the name stuck on the 5- cent piece and stick is now used exclusively for this, although it was changed in 1965 after copper nickel and dime even when the quarter and 1971 at the half- dollar and the dollar of silver.
The "Shield Nickel" was designed by James B. Longacre. He points to the front of a coat of arms and surrounded on the back of the figure of value of 13 stars. On the issue of 1866 and a part of the output of 1867 were among the stars additionally rays.
Liberty Head Nickel (1883-1913)
The " Liberty Head Nickel" (because of the declared value shown as a Roman numeral and "V- Nickel" called ) was officially coined from 1883 to 1912. In the mint of Philadelphia, however, an unknown quantity of V Nickels 1913 without authorization coined. Remains can still be five copies are known which are among the most valuable coins at all. A copy was sold in 2005 for 4.15 million U.S. dollars.
Buffalo Nickel (1913-1938)
The " Buffalo Nickel" or " Indian Head Nickel" called type was minted from 1913 to 1938. He was designed by James Earle Fraser and pointing to the front of an Indian in profile and on the back of an American Bison. Even in the first year of issue had to be changed the design. The Bison got up slightly domed base, from which the figure " Five Cents " stood out and quickly wore out. In later issues, the declared value is less protruding below a straight line. A well-known and sought after by collectors variation of this coin is the " three-legged bison " of 1937. A defect on the stamp was removed by polishing, which meant that almost the entire right front leg disappeared.
Jefferson Nickel (1938 - )
The starting in 1938 coined " Jefferson Nickel" was designed by Felix shock. He points to the front of Thomas Jefferson while is depicted on the back of Monticello, the estate of Jefferson in Virginia. The front page design from impact, which shows Jefferson in profile, was used until 2004. 2005, a new portrait was used, which was the very next year, replaced by the present design, on which Jefferson is looking forward.
Wartime nickel
From mid-1942 to 1945 five cent coin in a different composition (56 % copper, 35 % silver and 9% manganese ) was prepared as nickel was important for the war industry. In addition, the mint mark was placed right next to it as previously above the building instead.
Westward Journey Nickels
The U.S. Mint was planning to introduce a new design for the nickel in 2003. By law she was authorized to do so when a coin for 25 years had not been changed. The new design should be the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase (2003) and the Lewis and Clark Expedition (2004) to the west have the development of the American territory on the topic. However, there was political opposition to it, because it Monticello would have disappeared from the coin and because the proposed design ( an Indian and a bald eagle, which look to the west ) took too little on the anniversaries of reference. Congressman Eric Cantor of Virginia ( where Monticello is located ) brought a law which dictated that Monticello be re-imaged on the coins from 2006 must and that the U.S. Mint can change the designs no longer without congressional approval in the future. This delayed the restructuring and could not be carried out in 2003. After the law was passed, presented the mint ever two new designs for 2004 and 2005.
Expenditures from 2004
The first issue of 2004 is reminiscent of the Louisiana Purchase and shows on the back of a handshake and crossed over each other a tomahawk and a peace pipe, a motif that has been taken over by a contemporary peace pipe.
The second issue is a reminder to the Lewis and Clark Expedition and shows the Keelboat, in the Lewis and Clark were on the road.
Expenditure from 2005
The two outputs 2005, not only the back side, but also the front surface has been changed. Now shows a profile view of Jefferson, which fills the entire left half of the coin. The word "Liberty" is shown in the handwriting of Jefferson.
On the back of the first issue, as on the other nickel from 1913-1938, a bison can be seen.
The second edition has again the Lewis and Clark expedition to the topic. The rear design shows the Pacific Coast with the inscription "Ocean in view! O! The Joy! ". These words are a diary entry by William Clark taken, who wrote this, when the expedition reached the Pacific Ocean.
New portrait of Jefferson ( 2006 -)
Since 2006, on the back again the Monticello motif of Felix shock to see. The stamp has been reworked so that the motif is sharper and more details can be seen. The front page has been redesigned. It shows Jefferson now looking forward. It was designed by Jamie Franki, the portrait is based on a painting by Rembrandt Peale.
Specifications
The coin made of a copper nickel alloy with 75% by weight of copper and 25 % nickel. It is exactly 5 grams. This is remarkable, because it already in 1866 the metric system was used, which was later approved in the United States this year by law and could never generally prevail. The diameter is 21.21 mm and the thickness of 1.95 millimeters. The edge is smooth.
Rising metal prices from 2006 meant that the metal value of a nickel exceeded its nominal value. To prevent coins are melted down, the U.S. Mint issued rules that prohibit it to melt or export in large quantities cent and five-cent pieces.