1939 Jefferson Nickel

This is a United States five-cent coin, commonly known as a Jefferson Nickel, dated 1939. The coin features the original left-facing obverse profile of Thomas Jefferson, designed by Felix Schlag. It is composed of a copper-nickel alloy (75% copper, 25% nickel), resulting in a distinct silver-grey metallic color. The obverse displays the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' along the left rim and 'LIBERTY' followed by the year '1939' along the right rim. In terms of condition, the coin shows moderate to heavy circulation wear. There is significant loss of detail in the higher relief areas of Jefferson’s hair and jacket, and a notable flattened appearance across the cheek and ear. Several small surface scratches, nicks, and dings are visible, particularly near the top rim and on the field behind the head. The metal exhibits a dull, circulated patina with some dark grime buildup around the lettering and the edges. As a second-year issue of the Jefferson series, this piece represents the pre-WWII minting era. While there is no visible mint mark on the obverse (common for Philadelphia mintages of this time), the overall strike quality appears average for the period. The coin retains its circular integrity with no major warping or deep gouges, though the rim shows minor flattening in several spots.

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