Numismatic

1939 Jefferson Nickel Proof

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In the early years of the Jefferson nickel series, the Philadelphia Mint produced a limited number of proof coins, showcasing the crispness and depth of Felix O. Schlag's original design. This 1939 five-cent piece offers a pristine look at the early artistry of a coin that would become a staple of American pocket change. The obverse features a sharp profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson, facing left. Surrounding his likeness are the inscriptions of liberty and trust, reading LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST, alongside the date of 1939. The clean fields of the proof finish highlight the fine details of the portrait, from the waves in his hair to the strong line of his jaw. On the reverse, the coin displays a detailed depiction of Monticello, Jefferson's famous Virginia estate. Below the building, the home is identified by name as MONTICELLO. The reverse also bears the traditional national inscriptions, including E PLURIBUS UNUM above the dome, and the denomination and country name, FIVE CENTS and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, curved along the bottom rim.