U.S. Nickels (1866 - Present): The coin known popularly as the “Nickel,” first appeared in 1866. The term “Nickel” refers to the main component of the alloy used to strike the coin and was meant to differentiate the new coin from another of the same denomination that circulated at the same time -- the Half Dime made of silver. Despite the fact that other coins were (and are still being) made primarily of Nickel, the term stuck in reference to the Five Cents piece.

SHIELD NICKELS (1866-1883)	LIBERTY NICKELS (1883-1912)	BUFFALO NICKELS (1913-1938)
JEFFERSON NICKELS (1938-Date)