New nickels

[Robert]

Per Coin World, 2004 will see two different reverses for our nickel. The Monticello reverse is not one of them!

This spring we'll see the "Peace Medal" reverse and the "keel boat" reverse. Both will have the familiar Jefferson obverse and both are related to the 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clark's expedition.

The 2005 nickels might also be of other "Lewis and Clark" designs.


Personally, I think this is a very good idea and very appropriate (although there will probably be some protests/controversy). I think the "handshake" design is more aesthetically pleasing on paper, though the "keel boat" is interesting. Kudos to the Mint!


http://www.coinworld.com/news/111703/jefferson.asp


So 2003 might be the last year for "regular" Jeffersons (at least until 2006)?

[smed]

If I'm remebering correctly, Virginia legislatures pushed something thru Congress that mandates the return of Jefferson on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse in 2006 -- not necessarily the same images.

Total torocaca if you ask me.

Change ALL coinage away from the deadheads. The sooner the better.

[coinnut4]

Hi Robert,
I have a set of the miniature presidential medals ...which has the "handshake" reverse on several of them....I had always thought it was a good design however , I had not really given it much more thought than from an observational standpoint.
I guess if you took the concept of why the medals were given and then couple that with a few facts from history and one can start to see why this design may prove to be controversial.
I am just thrilled at the idea of having a design change in my lifetime for the nickel....it has been way too long in occurring if you ask me.....

[GarryN]

I am hoping that the eventual Monticello reverse is the original Felix Schlag design, that of Monticello, looking at it diagonally from the left.

[smed]

I agree Garry, failing intelligent legislation to strike down that supremely idiotic law mandating the return of Jefferson and Monticello so we can move beyond dead-heads.

[cladking]

It would seem that the mint's artistic infusion program may indicate a move to finally change the designs of US coins. The new coin designs should each look like a part of a whole as they have through out most of US history. Even with all the mottos and words mandated for our coins there is no reason that we can't have good looking coins and some of the reason designs show that.

[GarryN]

Even some different deadheads might be refreshing. It is ironic that Teddy Roosevelt has never appeared on a coin since he was responsible for the first competitions that resulted in Saint-Gaudens' and Weimann's designs on coins.

[coinnut4]

Hi GarryN,
The mint must have heard ya thinking!!!
Teddy Roosevelt was included as the central device on the wildlife commemorative series at the beginning of this year!
The coins are the first ones struck utilizing the new laser technology for the etching of the dies...
Here is link to the mints website to view....
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/medals/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=Upcoming

Coin Nut4
PS: you can also find a great picture of the first one released by clicking on My Website button at the bottom of this post.
Upon arrival just click on "Pictures" and look in the album titled "US Medals"

[GarryN]

Its interesting that TR is getting credit for his wildlife interests. He should also get some credit for his numismatic interests too. Even if they used him on a commemorative dime i.e. FDR to TR, that would be interesting.

As a postcript to my previous post, when the Mint and Congress threw caution to the wind and broke the long standing rule by putting a living person on a commemorative, who did they choose? Eunice Shriver. Who is next? Hillary Clinton?

[Robert]

*Finally* got one in circulation today.