Shield Nickel

A shield is featured on the front (obverse) and the numeral 5 surrounded by stars on the reverse.

The shield nickel was the first nickel five-cent piece minted in the United States and was made of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

Liberty Head Nickel

The Liberty Nickel was officially minted between 1883 and 1912. It was made of 75% copper and 25% nickel.

It featured a bust if "Liberty" on the front and the Roman Numeral "V" on the reverse. So, although it is commonly known as the Liberty Head Nickel, it is also sometimes referred to as the V Nickel.

Buffalo Nickel

The Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel is a copper-nickel five-cent piece that was struck by the United States Mint and designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser.

It should actually be referred to as the Indian Head Nickel, as the buffalo is really on the back of the coin. It is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel.