What Is the 1974 Jefferson Nickel Made Of?

25% nickel and 75% copper make up the 1974 Jefferson nickel. It measures 21.21 millimeters in diameter and weighs 5 grams. This 5-cent coin, which is made of copper, silver, and manganese, had a plain edge and was known as "Wartime Nickels" from 1942 and

1945. Since nickel was necessary to defeat the Axis power, the US Mint was forced to remove it off the 5-cent coin. The front of the 1974 nickel design features Thomas Jefferson, while the reverse features his estate, Monticello. The original design was created by

Felix Schlag and was in use from 1938 until 2004. The Buffalo (Indian Head) nickel was superseded by the Jefferson nickel. Even though the Buffalo nickel is still regarded as having a stunning design today, it is too short-lived and difficult to manufacture. It

cracks readily, and scratches on the surface happen fast. Therefore, the Jefferson nickel was created after 25 years of minting. The competition for designs was launched by the US Mint. At first, very few individuals signed up. Even Nevertheless, a

large number of artists turned in their work when the allotted time was almost up. It demonstrates how many people were motivated to win the tournament due to the $1,000 reward. Felix

Schlag ended up victorious in the contest. Roosevelt, the US president at the time, and Nellie Tayloe Ross, the director of the mint, both thought positively of Schlag's design.

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