1981-D Jefferson Nickel BU

This 1981-D Jefferson Nickel BU is a well-preserved example from the later part of the classic Jefferson nickel run, struck at the Denver Mint during a time when the design had already become a familiar part of everyday American commerce. In Brilliant Uncirculated condition, it offers the sharper detail, stronger luster, and cleaner overall look collectors enjoy when adding a nicer example to a Jefferson nickel set. Denver issues from this era remain important for anyone building a complete date-and-mint run. 

The Jefferson nickel was introduced in 1938, replacing the Buffalo nickel and beginning a new chapter in U.S. five-cent coin design. Created by Felix Schlag, the series features Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home, Monticello, on the reverse. By 1981, the Jefferson nickel had already spent decades in circulation and remained one of the most recognizable coins in American pocket change. Coins from this period represent the long-running copper-nickel era of the series before later design experiments like the Westward Journey issues of 2004–2005. 

Collectors continue to enjoy Jefferson nickels because they are affordable, historic, and easy to collect by date and mint. A Brilliant Uncirculated 1981-D is especially appealing for collectors who want a cleaner Denver example with stronger original eye appeal than a coin that spent years in circulation. Coins like this work well in a Jefferson nickel album, a late-20th-century type set, or a broader collection of classic U.S. coinage. The final sentence is an inference based on the coin’s date, mint, and BU condition. 

Specifications & Mintage

Denomination: Five Cents

Series: Jefferson Nickel

Designer: Felix Schlag

Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Weight: 5.00 grams

Diameter: 21.20 mm

Edge: Plain

Mint: Denver

Mintage: 364,801,843

Years of Issue: 1938–present

Reverse Type: Monticello Reverse 

Item Details

This listing includes one 1981-D Jefferson Nickel in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. The coin was struck at the Denver Mint and features the classic Monticello reverse used throughout the Jefferson nickel series. Please review the photos carefully for the overall appearance and quality of the exact coin you will receive. 

Whether you are building a complete Jefferson nickel set, adding a Denver issue to your date-and-mint collection, or simply looking for a nice late-20th-century U.S. coin in BU condition, this 1981-D Jefferson Nickel BU makes a meaningful addition.