- 1979 Type 1 Jefferson Nickel: No lines beneath the mint mark (P, D, or S).
- 1979 Type 2 Jefferson Nickel: Two lines beneath the mint mark.
The Type 1 variety was produced earlier in the year, while the Type 2 variety was introduced later when an adjustment was made to the production process to enhance the contrast of the mint mark. As a result, the 1979 Type 2 Jefferson nickel is generally considered to be the more common and widely circulated type. However, both the Type 1 and Type 2 varieties can be found among 1979 Jefferson nickels.