Gina Fazzi, age 10, of Birmingham, Ala., for her question:

WHAT IS THE 5 CENT NICKEL MADE FROM?

Nickel is the common name for the United States coin that is worth five cents. Its official name is the five cent piece. The coin is made from a copper nickel alloy or combination.

The current Jefferson nickel has been minted since 1938. It has a profile of Thomas Jefferson on the front, or obverse, and a picture of Monticello, Jefferson's home, on the back, or reverse.

A nickel with an Indian head on the obverse and a buffalo on the reverse was minted from 1913 through 1938.

Nickels made from 1883 through 1912 had a head of Liberty on the obverse and a "V" or Roman numeral five, on the reverse.

The earliest U.S. five cent pieces had a shield on the obverse and a "5" on the reverse. They were minted between 1866 and 1883.