The coin’s main feature is the left-facing profile of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. The portrait, designed by sculptor Felix Schlag, depicts a mature Jefferson with a distinguished hairline and a queue, or ponytail, tied at the nape of his neck. The details are moderately worn, suggesting the coin has been in circulation for some time, but key features like his eye, nose, and mouth are still clearly discernible.
Surrounding the portrait are several inscriptions. To the left, running vertically along the edge, are the words “IN GOD WE TRUST.” This motto was added to the Jefferson Nickel in 1938. The inscription is slightly faint due to wear, but the letters are still readable. To the right of Jefferson’s portrait, the word “LIBERTY” is inscribed along the rim, followed by the year “1964.” The numbers of the date are clear and well-preserved.
The coin’s surface shows signs of age and handling, including minor scratches, scuffs, and a slightly dulled luster. The color is a mix of muted silver-gray tones, characteristic of its cupronickel composition. There appears to be no mint mark visible below the date. In 1964, Jefferson Nickels were minted at the Philadelphia and Denver mints. This particular coin’s lack of a mint mark indicates it was struck in Philadelphia.
The photograph is well-lit, capturing the texture and relief of the coin’s design. The focus is sharp on the coin itself, while the background is a solid color, drawing the viewer’s attention directly to the subject. The image effectively showcases a piece of American numismatic history, a common yet significant coin that reflects the design and mottos of its era. This 1964 nickel is notable as it was the last year of the Jefferson Nickel to be minted with the regular composition before the transition to a silver composition due to the Coinage Act of 1965. No, that’s not correct. The silver “Wartime Nickel” was minted from 1942-1945. The 1964 nickel has a cupronickel composition, which is the same as the current composition. The statement about the 1965 Coinage Act is also incorrect in this context; the act eliminated silver from dimes and quarters but not nickels, which were already a base metal alloy. The 1964 nickel is notable because it had an exceptionally high mintage, making it a very common year for this coin.
Final edit of the description: The photograph displays the obverse (front) of a 1964 Jefferson Nickel, a five-cent coin of the United States. The coin is placed on a vibrant pink or magenta background, which creates a striking visual contrast.
The coin’s central feature is the left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President. The design, by sculptor Felix Schlag, shows a dignified Jefferson with a queue. The relief shows moderate signs of wear from circulation, but the details of his face, including the eye, nose, and mouth, are still well-defined.
The coin’s rim is inscribed with two mottos. To the left, running vertically, are the words “IN GOD WE TRUST,” a phrase that has been on U.S. currency for a long time. To the right, the word “LIBERTY” is inscribed above the year “1964.” The date is crisp and easy to read. Since there is no mint mark visible below the date, it signifies the coin was minted in Philadelphia.
The coin’s surface exhibits the typical signs of age and use, such as minor scratches and a slightly dull sheen, consistent with its cupronickel composition (75% copper and 25% nickel). The photograph itself is well-focused and properly lit, highlighting the numismatic details and the historical nature of the coin. The 1964 Jefferson Nickel is particularly noteworthy in the numismatic community due to its exceptionally high mintage, making it a very common and accessible piece for collectors. Despite its commonality, it remains a tangible link to a specific period in American history, representing the mid-20th-century design of U.S. currency.
