1946 Jefferson Nickel

This is a United States five-cent coin, commonly known as a Jefferson Nickel, dated 1946. The coin features the left-facing profile of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, based on a design by Felix Schlag. It is composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, following the return to the standard alloy after the 'silver war nickel' composition used from 1942 to 1945. The obverse displays the inscriptions 'IN GOD WE TRUST' along the upper-left rim and 'LIBERTY' followed by the date '1946' along the lower-right rim. The coin exhibits a circulated condition with visible wear on the high points of Jefferson's hair and cheekbones. There is a muted grey-silver patina typical of circulated nickel-copper alloys, with several distinct contact marks, scratches, and small dings on the surface, particularly on the cheek and field area. The strike appears standard for the era, though the fine details of the hair have softened due to years of use. There is no visible mint mark on the obverse (which is standard for this series), and without seeing the reverse, it is likely a Philadelphia mint strike unless an 'S' or 'D' is present on the back. The coin represents the post-World War II period of American coinage and shows the significant honest wear of a piece that spent many years in active circulation.

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