The U.S. 1962 Nickel, designed by Felix Schlag, features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse. Struck in a copper-nickel alloy, it represented the U.S. government’s continued use of base metals for circulating coins. In 1962, the U.S. economy was experiencing steady growth, reflecting a period of post-World War II prosperity, which was also tied to the increasing demand for everyday coinage like the 1962 Nickel.
Politically, President John F. Kennedy had just taken office, navigating the early years of the Cold War and domestic civil rights challenges. The U.S. 1962 Nickel symbolized both stability and change, with its enduring design and the U.S. commitment to nickel as a primary metal for coinage during this dynamic period.