Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, is on the U.S. nickel (five‑cent coin).

Quick Scoop: Who’s On the Nickel?

  • The person on the front (obverse) of the U.S. nickel is Thomas Jefferson.
  • He has appeared on the nickel since 1938, when his portrait replaced the earlier “Buffalo nickel” design.
  • The back (reverse) shows Monticello, Jefferson’s home in Virginia, which has been on the coin (with brief interruptions in 2004–2005).

So if you’re holding a standard modern U.S. five‑cent coin, the face you’re looking at is Thomas Jefferson.

Note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.