For sixty-six years, the United States' five cent coin was minted with the same image of America's third President, Thomas Jefferson. The reverse was also unchanged during this long period, depicting Jefferson's Monticello home. Commonly referred to as the Jefferson nickel, the coin was first circulated in the country’s coinage in 1938. Then, in 2004, the Westward Journey Nickel Series was introduced and marked an end to the old familiar design. The change celebrated the beginning of five newly planned nickels that were set for release over the next three years. The series gave collectors the wonderful opportunity to appreciate and admire fresh styled coins and expand their collections.
Westward Journey Nickel Series
The new designs, commemorating and honoring the 200th year anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark, were well received. Jefferson had been involved in both of the historic and important United States events. It was Jefferson who bought the land called ‘Louisiana’ from France in 1803 and it was he who also sent Lewis and Clark westward in 1804 to explore the new purchased land. Since the nickel already displayed a representation of President Jefferson and was in need of an update, the timing of these esteemed occurrences offered the perfect occasion to plan the re-designs.
2004 Peace Medal and Keelboat Nickel
The first of the series began with an image of the Jefferson Peace Medals. Jefferson had made and gave these tokens of peace to Lewis and Clark to offer to any Native American Chiefs they encountered during their westward journey. The prominent clasped hands of friendship, presented on the new coins, were symbolic of the country’s peaceful intentions.
The second released coin of 2004 displayed the image of the large 55-foot keelboat Lewis and Clark used during their expedition. Both of these designs were struck on the reverse of the nickel. The obverse of the 2004 nickels continued to display Jefferson as seen on the many previous years’ coins.
2005 American Bison and Pacific Ocean Nickel
However, in 2005, a different image of Jefferson appeared on the Westward Journey nickels obverse. And unlike the last portrait of Jefferson facing to the left, he now faced to the right. The reverse of the first 2005 series nickels featured the American bison. This animal represented the remarkable wildlife Lewis and Clark discovered and shares the important culture of the Indians. Finishing up the 2005 Westward Journey release was a scene of the Pacific Ocean and the words recorded from Clark’s journal upon seeing it, “Ocean in view!”
2006 Return to Monticello Nickel
The journey of Lewis and Clark was immense. The explorers documented and provided Jefferson with a greater understanding of the west. After returning east in 1806, much was shared and published about the unknown and mysterious land in the west. The images portrayed on the Westward Journey nickels honors these precious findings.
The Westward Journey nickels series ended in 2006 with the reverse image of the coin returning back to Monticello. Although similar to the original 1938 depiction of Monticello, the 2006 nickel’s image is bolder and shows more details. The 2006 obverse features yet another image of Jefferson. This time the president faces forward; a first for a presidential portrait being displayed forward on a coin. Collectors excitedly greeted the Westward series. After many long years of collecting the same images, the beautiful depictions offered on the new nickels is like exploring an unknown land and time.
Sources:
Westward Journey Nickel Series, U.S. Mint, reviewed January 6th, 2012
Westward Journey Nickel Series, U.S. Mint, reviewed January 6th, 2012
Harper, David, U.S. Coin Digest, Krause Publications, 2011
Harris, Westward Series Collectible Coin Folder
Jenny Kile - Jenny Kile enjoys the freedom to explore, question, learn, and the opportunity Suite101 gives in order to then share with her readers.
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