Answer: The front (obverse) of the nickel pictures a profile of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States of America and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. The back (reverse) of the nickel pictures Monticello, Jefferson’s house (which was designed by Jefferson himself), located in Virginia. Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson who began designing and building Monticello at age 26 after inheriting land from his father. Monticello has been designated a National Historic Landmark.