The obverse pictures a left-facing profile of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States of America and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. To the left of the profile reads "IN GOD WE TRUST" and to the right "LIBERTY," and the year the coin was minted.

The reverse of the nickel pictures Monticello, his Virginian estate. Above Monticello reads "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (which means, "Out of many, one"), and below "MONTICELLO," "FIVE CENTS," and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

Mint marks may be found on the reverse, in the right field between Monticello and the rim, on nickels from 1938 to 1964.

Mintage:

Philadelphia	Denver	San Francisco	Proof
47,917,350	117,136,560	29,384,000	233,300