The US 1988 Nickel, designed by Felix Schlag, continued the long-standing Jefferson Nickel series, featuring Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse. Made of a 75% copper and 25% nickel alloy, the US 1988 Nickel reflected a stable economy under President Ronald Reagan, with low inflation and economic growth.
In 1988, the Cold War neared its end as Mikhail Gorbachev implemented reforms in the Soviet Union. The US 1988 Nickel, with its durable metal composition, symbolized American resilience and economic strength during a period of global political change, reinforcing Jefferson’s legacy of democracy and innovation.