Most common nickel used in the 50's

If you were a kid in the 50s (im not) you probably spent nickels alot. My dad always tells me stories of 5 cent candy bars, 5 cent sodas, etc. I wonder though, what is the most common 5 cent peice that was used in the 50's. I've set up a poll, feel free to share your 5 cent buys or uses.

Thanks

 

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I only spent what my Mom or Dad would give me and that wasn't much for a 2 year old.

 

Heck, there were still a lot o' Buff's in the sixties.... Jeff's and Buff's for me. Never encountered a "shield" or a "V"......

 

I assure you that the most common nickel in the 50's was the Jefferson including the silver war nickels. Now the early 40's would have been a close call.

 

Richard and I are contemporaries.....even though he's older than me.

 

That translates into I have a little more 50's experience than you.

BTW, yes, I got an occasional "V" nickel.

 

Si, and I vaguely remember you mentioning Pennsy "steam".......

 

Mostly B&LE and Erie, but Pennsy was there also. When they were steam, my home town was black from the ash.

 

Ah, the days. Long Island got rid of their "steam" in '55 (I think)......

 

My guess would be a bit earlier. The B&LE was later. They weren't making diesels large enough for them. They had a fleet of the Texas engines - the largest standard engine out there.

 

Same findings here. There were a ton of Buff's in circulation in the late 50's, but were outnumbered by the Jeffersons. I never saw a Shield or V in circulation either. Mercury dimes, SLQ's and Walkers were also plentiful.

 

In the early 50's I received one or two shield nickels in change and several V nickels. About 1959 I went through a large bunch of nickels. About one third were buffaloes, one third War nicks and one third regular Jeffersons. In 1964 Buffaloes still circulated here in Massachusetts but were now fewer. A California collector said no buffaloes were in circulation there.

 

I don't remember using any nickels, or any other coins for that matter, when I was three (1950) and even by the time 1959 rolled around, I still don't recall whether I used more Jeff's or Buff's, though I do remember seeing both in circulation. I didn't start collecting coins until 1957, and then, it was only circulated Morgan dollars.

Chris

 

I received a well worn Buffalo in change at our local Pizza Hut about 2 months ago.....Does that count?

 

Mostly Jeffersons with a fair number of poor condition Buffalos, as I recall.

 

1955
- Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) holds "End of Steam" ceremony in Hicksville, retiring it's last steam locomotives

 

Most of you don't remember back then..

In the early 60's they were still about 50:50.

Buffs were no big deal.

 

I find that just a little strange since by 1943 there were as many Jeffersons minted as the entire span of Buffaloes (1913 - 1938). Maybe there was something going on in your home town, but the 50:50 ended long before in my town I am not saying you could not find Buffaloes, but...........

 

When I used to go through rolls of nickels in the early, early 60s you would normally see 2 or 3 Buffs per roll. Sometimes maybe a couple more, but definitely not 50/50.

 

richard, what do you mean B&LE..you would think I should know but I dont and I believe you mean dreary erie