1938: TIME FOR A CHANGE: It's about what it was like in those days, an'what "Our Designer of the Jefferson Nickel" went through,and had to accomplish,to get this Winning-Design'.

Felix Oscar Schlag (December 4, 1891 ? March 9, 1974)

Back in 1938, there was a big rush, to get rid of the Indian/Buffalo nickel, the public was wanting something different for the nickel, it had used up its 25 year life span.

The Treasury Department decided to have a National Competition for a New-Design, Honoring Thomas Jefferson,(Our 3rd American President).

The sum of $1,000 was to be paid to the winner, out of 390 entries competing. There were very-strict rules to go by,for these Plaster/Models' to be accepted by the US Treasury.These Designs, had to be submitted no later than April 15th,and

had to be of "Suffient-Merit" to justify acceptance. Felix Shalag, had won the winning/design. He was required to sign a contract, agreeing to any "Revisions" by the Secretary of the Treasury.

The Commission of Fine Arts, was not pleased with this design,especially on the reverse. Felix had to revise his model,refining the "Lantern-Jaw", also making a more traditonalversion of the Monticello.The Mint also had to modify the

"Lettering" an detail, thus' finally accepting this Design.The production of this design began in September of 1938. This New Jefferson Nickel started circulating in our coinage in the fall of that year.

In 1939, Felix had made 150 Framed Souvenir Displays with each one Handsigned by him, and Notarized. These are "Highly-Prized" for each one today, would cost into the Thousands of dollars. I seen one earlier'this year (2009')-An'Yes, the Seller wanted over $3000.00, for it on Ebay. I was seriously considering to buy it at the time.

"What could be More-Awesome', than owning one of the Original's not to mention, having a piece of history, in your Hand,/Collection. (Well,,,Reality'-Sunk In, I'd had to take out a Loan! )

(Felix Schlag): Just to set the record straight and to correct any errors concerning the disputed Jefferson Nickel Competition, I wrote my Life-Story, for the reason that it might be of interest someday to a Jefferson nickel collector.

( Felix's Bio- is in the David/Bowers Official Red Book) on Buffalo & Jefferson Nickels...

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