How many different types of nickels are there?

Answer 1

US nickels have only had four major designs since the coin was introduced in 1866:

• Shield design - 1866 to 1883
• Liberty Head - 1883 to 1912
• Buffalo / Indian Head - 1913 to 1938
• Jefferson - 1938 to the present

There are several varieties within three of those four major designs:

• Shield design with (1866-67) or without (1867-1883) rays between the stars
• Buffalo standing on a mound (1913) or on flat ground (1913-1938)
• Jefferson left-facing portrait (1938-2004)
• Jefferson Lewis and Clark commemorative reverse (2004)
• Jefferson Lewis and Clark commemorative reverse and right-facing portrait (2005)
• Jefferson forward-facing portrait (2006-present)

If two designs have the same or overlapping dates it means both were issued during the same year(s).