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Jefferson Nickels
In
commemoration of the Louisiana Purchase, and Lewis and Clark's expedition,
the President enacted a public law to modify the Jefferson nickel in 2004
and 2005, to reflect images evocative of their expedition into the
Louisiana Territory. The front will continue to bear President Jefferson.
Commemorative Jefferson Nickels (2004 -
2005)
The
first new nickel reverse will feature a rendition of the reverse of
the original Indian Peace Medal commissioned for Lewis and Clark's
expedition, bearing the likeness of America's third president on one
side, and symbols of peace and friendship on the other. The medals
were presented to Native American chiefs and other important leaders
as tokens of goodwill at treaty signings and other events.
The
design, by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Norman E. Nemeth, features
two hands clasped in friendship - one with a military uniform cuff,
symbolizing the American government, and the other with a silver band
adorned with beads and a stylized American eagle, representing the Native
American community with whom the United States sought good relations.
 In
fall of 2004, the 2004-dated Jefferson nickel will feature an angled, side-view
of the keelboat with full sail that transported members of the expedition and
their supplies through the rivers of the Louisiana Territory in search of a
northwest passage to the Pacific Ocean. Built to the specifications of Captain
Lewis, the 55-foot keelboat could be sailed, rowed, poled like a raft, or towed
from the riverbank. The design, by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Al
Maletsky, shows Captains Lewis and Clark in full uniform in the bow of the
keelboat.
The
obverse design for the 2005 nickels will bear, for the first time in 67 years, a
new likeness of America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. The “Liberty”
inscription on the coin is based upon Jefferson’s own handwriting. The design is
based on the marble bust of Jefferson by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon,
completed in 1789. The design was made age-appropriate to his presidency by
utilizing later paintings by Gilbert Stuart and Rembrandt Peale. The design was
created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist, Joe Fitzgerald,
of Silver Spring, Maryland. United States Mint sculptor-engraver Don Everhart
sculpted the design.
The first of two new reverses on the 2005-dated
nickel will feature the American bison, recognizing the American
Indians and wildlife encountered by the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Expedition journals described the buffalo and it was an animal of
great significance to many American Indian cultures. The design was
created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist,
Jamie Franki, of Concord, North Carolina. United States Mint
sculptor-engraver Norman E. Nemeth sculpted the design.
 Released
in August 2005, the nickel features a scene of the Pacific Ocean
and an inscription reflecting an excited entry in the journal of
Captain William Clark on November 7, 1805. The design visually
depicts the expedition’s exultation on believing they had
finally reached the Pacific Ocean after so many months of
arduous travel.
The design was created
by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist, Joe
Fitzgerald, of Silver Spring, Maryland, and was sculpted by United
States Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver.
Jefferson Nickel
Rolls
We do not
guarantee U.S. Mint wrapped rolls.
Click to order holders!
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