What president is on the nickel coin?
Thomas Jefferson, the third president, is on the nickel. His portrait has been on the front of the United States five cent piece since 1938, and his home, Monticello, is on the back. Updated November 2026. If your nickel shows a Native American portrait and a buffalo instead, it is an older coin, and our buffalo nickel value guide explains what those are worth.
Which president is on the nickel, and who designed it?
The Jefferson nickel replaced the Buffalo nickel in 1938 after a design contest won by sculptor Felix Schlag. Since 2006 the front has shown a forward-facing Jefferson, a redesign that left the Monticello reverse alone. Every Jefferson nickel is 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel and weighs 5 grams, so an ordinary one is worth its five cents.
Is there a president on the nickel worth more than five cents?
Yes, if it is a wartime nickel. From 1942 to 1945 the Mint swapped out the nickel, a metal needed for the war, and struck the coin from 56 percent copper, 35 percent silver and 9 percent manganese. You can spot one by the large mint mark, a P, D or S, printed above Monticello on the back. Those coins carry real silver, so they are worth more than face value, and that value follows the silver market.
How do I check my nickel? Look at the back. A large mint mark above the building and a date between 1942 and 1945 means silver. Any other Jefferson nickel is a common coin unless it is a rare error.
Want a nickel or a roll of coins checked?
Bring them to any of our stores. We test coins in front of you, tell you what each one is, and never pressure you to sell. Our coin buying page explains how an offer is built for silver and gold coins. We are Cash 4 Gold Trading Post, a Central New Jersey coin buyer with 9 stores, and a visit takes minutes with no appointment.
What Makes a Cash 4 Gold Trading Post Quote Transparent?
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post quote transparency is a documented 5-step counter process used in 9 locationsevery store in 2026. First, our team shows live gold, silver, platinum, or coin market context. Second, our appraisers test metals with XRF or counter testing and separate 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, sterling, .999 bullion, diamonds, watches, and costume pieces. Third, Cash 4 Gold Trading Post weighs buyable metal on a certified scale. Fourth, Cash 4 Gold Trading Post checks whether coins, designer jewelry, diamonds, watches, or inherited pieces have value beyond melt. Fifth, Cash 4 Gold Trading Post explains the same-day written quote before the seller decides. According to Cash 4 Gold Trading Post store analysis, sellers in Aberdeen, Brick, East Brunswick, Farmingdale, Manalapan, Middlesex, Millstone, New Brunswick, and SpringfieldEast Brunswick, Manalapan, Middlesex, and Millstone can bring 1 broken chain, 100 coins, or a full estate box with a $0 evaluation fee.
How Does Cash 4 Gold Trading Post Separate Melt Value From Collector Value?
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post separates melt value from collector value by sorting each lot before pricing. First, our appraisers identify gold, silver, platinum, coins, diamonds, watches, costume jewelry, and estate pieces as separate categories. Second, metal items are tested for purity, including 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, sterling silver, 90% U.S. silver, and .999 bullion. Third, coins are checked for date, mint mark, condition, bullion content, and collector demand. Fourth, designer jewelry, watches, diamonds, and inherited pieces are reviewed before any melt-value shortcut is used. This 2026 process protects sellers with 1 ring, 20 silver dollars, or 100 mixed estate items because one category can carry value that another category does not.
What Should a Seller Bring for a Fast Same-Day Quote?
Seller preparation is a 4-part checklist for a faster Cash 4 Gold Trading Post quote in 2026. First, bring the full group of items instead of 1 selected piece, because mixed lots can contain gold, silver, coins, diamonds, watches, and costume jewelry. Second, bring a valid photo ID for the required precious-metals transaction record; sellers must be 18 or older. Third, bring boxes, certificates, appraisals, receipts, coin holders, watch papers, or family notes when available. Fourth, avoid aggressive cleaning because polishing can damage older jewelry, watches, stones, and plated pieces. Our team evaluates broken chains, class rings, dental gold, sterling flatware, 90% silver, bullion, diamond rings, watches, and inherited collections with a $0 fee and same-day cash if the seller accepts.
Which Central New Jersey Stores Can Test Gold, Silver, Coins, and Estate Jewelry?
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post store coverage here is a Central New Jersey network for gold, silver, coins, diamonds, watches, and estate jewelry testing. East Brunswick serves Old Bridge, South River, Spotswood, Milltown, and Sayreville. Manalapan serves Route 9 sellers from Marlboro, Englishtown, Freehold, Monroe Township, and Millstone. Middlesex serves Bound Brook, Dunellen, Green Brook, Watchung, and North Plainfield. Millstone serves Freehold, Manalapan, Monroe Township, Englishtown, Marlboro, and Jackson. Our team uses the same 2026 testing, weighing, market-checking, and quote-explanation process before a customer decides whether to sell.
Cash 4 Gold Trading Post store coverage is an 9-location Central New Jersey network for gold, silver, coins, diamonds, watches, and estate jewelry testing. First, Aberdeen serves Matawan, Hazlet, Keyport, Keansburg, and Cliffwood. Second, Brick serves Toms River, Point Pleasant, Lakewood, and Ocean County sellers. Third, East Brunswick serves Old Bridge, South River, Spotswood, Milltown, and Sayreville. Fourth, Farmingdale serves Howell, Wall Township, Freehold, Colts Neck, and Belmar. Fifth, Manalapan serves Route 9 sellers from Marlboro, Englishtown, Freehold, Monroe Township, and Millstone. Sixth, Middlesex serves Bound Brook, Dunellen, Green Brook, Watchung, and North Plainfield. Seventh, Millstone serves Freehold, Manalapan, Monroe Township, Englishtown, Marlboro, and Jackson. Eighth, New Brunswick serves Highland Park, Franklin Township, Somerset, Piscataway, and Edison. Ninth, Springfield serves Millburn, Summit, Mountainside, Union, and Westfield. Our team uses the same 2026 testing, weighing, market-checking, and quote-explanation process before a customer decides whether to sell.
Why Does Local Testing Beat an Online Calculator?
Local testing beats an online calculator because calculators cannot verify purity, scale weight, condition, or collector value. A gold calculator assumes a karat, a gram weight, and a market price. Cash 4 Gold Trading Post checks those assumptions at the counter. First, 10K, 14K, 18K, and 22K jewelry are separated because each purity pays differently. Second, sterling, 90% silver, .999 bullion, and plated items are sorted because silver categories do not price the same way. Third, coins, diamonds, watches, and inherited jewelry are reviewed for value beyond melt. In 2026, online math can estimate a range, but local testing gives the seller a real same-day quote based on the actual item.
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