<Tr> <Th> Design date </Th> <Td> 1938 (not used in 2004 or 2005). Coins before 2006 do not have "FS" on reverse to right of Monticello . </Td> </Tr> <P> A nickel, in American usage, is a five - cent coin struck by the United States Mint . Composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, the piece has been issued since 1866 . Its diameter is . 835 inches (21.21 mm) and its thickness is . 077 inches (1.95 mm). Due to inflation, the purchasing power of the nickel continues to drop and currently the coin represents less than 1% of the federal hourly minimum wage . In 2015, over 1.5 billion nickels were produced at the Philadelphia and Denver mints . </P> <P> The silver half dime, equal to five cents, had been issued since the 1790s . The American Civil War caused economic hardship, driving gold and silver from circulation; in response, in place of low - value coins, the government at first issued paper currency . In 1865, Congress abolished the five - cent fractional currency note after Spencer M. Clark, head of the Currency Bureau (today the Bureau of Engraving and Printing), placed his own portrait on the denomination . After the successful introduction of two - cent and three - cent pieces without precious metal, Congress also authorized a five - cent piece consisting of base metal; the Mint began striking this version in 1866 . </P> <P> The initial design of the Shield nickel was struck from 1866 until 1883, then was replaced by the Liberty Head nickel . The Buffalo nickel was introduced in 1913 as part of a drive to increase the beauty of American coinage; in 1938, the Jefferson nickel followed . In 2004 and 2005, special designs in honor of the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition were issued . In 2006, the Mint reverted to using Jefferson nickel designer Felix Schlag's original reverse (or "tails" side), although a new obverse, by Jamie Franki, was substituted . As of the end of FY 2013, it cost more than nine cents to produce a nickel; the Mint is exploring the possibility of reducing cost by using less expensive metals . </P>

Who's face appeared on the five cent bill in 1866