One of the most produced coins in the history of the United States Mint is the nickel. More specifically, the Jefferson nickel. While the small denomination coin has been around since the mid 1860s, it has not been until the 1900s that its design, matched with its usefulness in everyday commerce, has really affected the way we look at the five-cent piece. While the Buffalo nickel made quite the impact, its follow-up act has since taken its place among American coinage as the longest running design for the denomination. With this fact one might assume that its designer is one that has a slew of coinage credits, but what actually makes this designer important is that he has just this one credit in numismatics aside from his other works later in life. However, with this one design he has made a mark in the business that has lasted for nearly 85 years and there is no doubt that it will continue on.
Felix Schlag
Born in Frankfurt, Germany, in September of 1891, Felix Schlag was raised in Germany for most of his childhood before immigrating to the United States. While in Germany as a teenager, he joined the German army and fought during World War I. He worked many jobs before and after the war and got married at the age of 29 to Anna whom he went on to have three children with between 1920 and 1929.
His time growing up in Germany saw his affinity for the arts develop as he won many art competitions in his childhood in Europe. By 1929 when at the age of 38, Felix moved himself and his family to the United States. By this point he was already a successful artist working as a medalist, sculptor, and designer. His first job in the states was at General Motors where he designed and stylized class cars. After his time there, he moved to Chicago in the 1930s and was commissioned to work on sculptures that would be displayed in public locations within the city.
An established designer and artist at this point, Schlag would get an opportunity of a lifetime. In early 1938, the United States Treasury held a public competition to design the new nickel. The Buffalo nickel, which began its production in 1913, was nearing its end as the minimum 25 years for a coin to be redesigned was coming up and a new nickel could be designed. The competition stated that the theme would honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson despite the celebration taking place in 1943. The obverse would have to depict the portrait of the third President of the United States with the reverse depicting Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, Virginia.
One of nearly 400 entries, Felix Schlag’s design was chosen as the most popular of them all. On April 20, 1938, it was announced that he had won and was awarded $1,000. Although his design won, that goes without saying that it was inevitable that some of the design elements would have to be changed. His original design featured the portrait of Jefferson and stylized letters on the obverse with a side view of Monticello on the reverse. The Federal Commission of Fine Arts did not accept his original design with these features, requesting that Schlag redesign the nickel. The stylized lettering on both sides was not approved as it was felt that the letters needed to look more professional. It was also decided that the angle of Monticello be changed on the reverse and instead depict a front view of the home to look more proportional. After modifications were made, Schlag’s design was finally accepted in July of 1938. The very first Jefferson nickels were produced later in September and released into general circulation on November 15, 1938.
In 1939, Felix Schlag was able to commemorate the production and circulation of his Jefferson nickel design as he obtained 150 Proof coins featuring the 1938 date. They were then mounted in plaques and serialized, making them highly valuable in today’s numismatic climate. That is, if you can come across one in the first place.
While the 1938 Jefferson nickel started its production, it would only be one of major life events to occur for Schlag. He also became a United States citizen, but tragically his wife died that same year. He would go on to remarry in November of 1940 and would eventually move to Owosso, Michigan during World War II. It was not until the 1960s when Felix would get back into artwork again when he opened a photography studio. He also continued to sculpt, model, and design medals again. He became a big name amongst collectors which led to many autograph requests. He signed them for $1.50.
Twenty-eight years (1966) after the first nickel was produced, the United States Mint honored Felix Schlag by engraving his initials “FS” on Jefferson’s coat near the rim of the obverse in small letters. They also struck two special coins that were given to Schlag as a gift. His Jefferson nickel was produced from 1938 to 2003 as 2004 would see the reverse of the five-cent coin change to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition which Thomas Jefferson authorized during his presidency. From 2006 on, Schlag’s Monticello would return to the coin but the obverse would change permanently featuring a new portrait of Jefferson.
Felix Schlag died on March 9, 1974. Years after his passing, a granite grave stone was added to his gravesite that featured his obverse and reverse of the Jefferson nickel.
Source: USA Coinbook