I know what you mean. I have a 1898 silver dollar from the year my dad was born that his dad had given to him. I've recently started trying to get a set of penny through silver dollar for my parents, my siblings and my wife an I.
Jefferson nickels are probably the least collected series. There is nothing special about them except for the handful in the 40's that are 35% silver. Even they are not very collectible.
Other than the 38 and 39 D & S, the wartime silver coinage, and the 50D. I'd spend the rest. There are a few such as the 49 D over S and 1954 S over D to keep an eye out for. But there were just too many minted in most years to cause a scarcity.
When i started collecting coins (I'd say that was about 1977 or 1978) I used to collect wheat pennies. They were made prior to 1959. Since I was collecting pennies of this vintage I decided to start collecting nickels of this vintage also. There aren't many nickels that are really worth much. The 1950 D is an exception and I would save the silver war nickels too. (1942-1945)
I started on pennies and nickels back in 73. I was ten and buying rolls from the bank, with allowance money. I have a few books that my six year old is filling from when I decided that spending was funner than collecting(the dark period of my hobby). So I agree the nickels are overlooked but that's what makes them great for kids just starting out as collectors.