Numismatic

1938-D Jefferson Nickel BU

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The year 1938 marked a significant transition in United States coinage with the introduction of a new five-cent piece. Designed by Felix O. Schlag, this inaugural issue replaced the long-running Buffalo nickel, bringing a fresh aesthetic to everyday pocket change. This specific coin, struck at the Denver Mint, represents the very first year of the enduring series. On the obverse, a profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson faces left, accompanied by the familiar inscriptions of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST alongside the date. The reverse features a detailed depiction of Monticello, Jefferson's historic Virginia estate. The home is centered on the coin, framed by the Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM above and the denomination of FIVE CENTS and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA below. This Denver issue is particularly notable for its relatively low mintage of 5,376,000, making it a scarcer find among early Jefferson nickels. Preserved in brilliant uncirculated condition, the copper-nickel composition retains its original luster, allowing the fine architectural details of Monticello and the sharp lines of Jefferson's portrait to remain clearly visible.