The US 1901 Nickel, designed by Charles E. Barber, featured Liberty in a classic design. Struck in copper-nickel, it was part of a larger shift in U.S. coinage after the Panic of 1893, which had destabilized the economy. The US 1901 Nickel was a durable, widely used coin symbolizing post-recession recovery and stability.
In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt began reforms to modernize the U.S. economy, including trust-busting. The US 1901 Nickel, alongside other coinage, played a role in stabilizing small transactions during a time of political change. Its copper-nickel composition ensured it remained practical for everyday use.