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The
Jefferson nickel replaced the 25 year old Buffalo nickel
and commemorates Thomas Jefferson, US president from 1801-1809,
and the principle author of the Declaration of Independence.
Jefferson's portrait appears on the obverse, and a view
of Monticello, the beautiful home he designed and built,
is featured on the reverse.
The
usual composition of the Jefferson nickel is 75% copper
and 25% nickel. However, during World War II, an alloy of
35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese was used starting
in 1942 through 1945 to make nickel available for the war
effort. |