Where is the date on a nickel?

Answer 1

Canadian nickels' dates are on the lower front of the coin.

The date position varies on US nickels:

• Shield and Liberty Head nickels have the date on the lower front near the rim.
• The date on a buffalo (Indian head) nickel is on the chief's shoulder, at the 7:00 position
• The date on a Jefferson nickel up to 2004 is next to the end of his wig's tail, at the 4:00 position.
• The date on a Jefferson nickel from 2005 on below the word Liberty. at the 5:00 position.

Many buffalo nickels don't have visible dates, due to a design defect that allowed the date to wear off quickly. These coins are generally considered "culls" and are only worth 10 or 15 cents as curiosities.