U.S. Mint to Unveil New Nickel Designs

yahooooooooo ^ | 09-16-04 | JEANNINE AVERSA,

[evets]

WASHINGTON - There's change in store for Thomas Jefferson — on the nickel that is. He's getting his first makeover since his likeness was put on the coin in 1938.

The makers of the nation's coins, the U.S. Mint, was unveiling Thursday designs for two new nickels. It's the latest in a series of design changes for the coins to honor two important events in U.S. history: the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The revamped nickels will be issued in 2005.

A new likeness of Jefferson, the third president, will be on the front of the two revised coins, while the "tails" side of will also get a new look.

The new nickels are part of the Mint's Westward Journey Nickel series, which began earlier this year. In March, the so-called Peace Medal nickel went into circulation, followed by the Keelboat five-cent piece in August.

Those were the first two nickels issued under the new series. Those nickels, however, kept the current image of Jefferson on the front, while featuring new designs on the back.

The design of the old nickels — a centered profile of Jefferson on the front — and his Virginia home, Monticello, on the back — was introduced in 1938.

A 2003 law authorized the nickel's makeover. In 2006, an image of Monticello will return to the back of the five-cent piece and a likeness of Jefferson will be carried on the front.

Separately, a colorful new $50 bill with touches of red, blue and yellow will start showing up in banks, cash registers and wallets later this month. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which makes U.S. paper currency, says the new bill will go into circulation Sept. 28.

[Conservative til I die]

1901 $10 US Note, a/k/a the Bison Note (front)

Same note, back


1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note


1896 $5 US Note, from the Education Series (front)

Same note, back


1922 $20 Gold Certificate (front)

Same note, back


1882 $10,000 Gold Certificate, *reproduction*


1899 $5 Silver Certificate (front)

1899 $1 Silver Certificate (front)

[.38sw]

I bought a silver proof set of the 2004 coins last weekend, and the set has the two new nickels in it. I hadn't looked at the set that closely until I got home and saw the new design, so I wasn't able to ask the dealer about the changes. Guess I'll start saving some of the old design nickels.

[Conservative til I die]

The money needs a design update. Do some research on the history of our coinage. You'd be surprised at A) How many different designs there have been and B) The breathtaking beauty of some of it. Real art.

Also, the anomaly is not changing the coinage, it's how long we've kept our FUGLY designs. Lincoln since 1909, Jefferson since 1938, Roosevelt since 1946, Washington since 1932. I won't go into the half dollar since it's pretty much defunct, and the dollar has changed, but the designs have been hideous.

[Walkingfeather]

is it me or should the coastline be reversed. If you were traveling from east to west as you approached the pacific wouldn't the water be on your left?

[Chemist_Geek]

At least half of the people on this thread need to up their Metamucil dosage. Our coins are boring as heck, and this change is long overdue.

A problem is the mint messed up badly when they introduced the Sac dollar. Also, I think the new paper bills look like Monopoly money or something. But, then again, REAL money clinks not rustles.

[Psycho_Bunny]

It's not so annoying that it's being changed....it's the frequency and diversity of the change.  We don't need a Dime of the Week.

For people living in border states to Canada, the 50 State quarter program has been a unending minor annoyance for years. 

The only thing that would have made that pain in the a$$ worth it would have been if the Washington State quarter had the same Washington profile on both sides.

[Lockbar]

It looks more like an image of Bob Hope impersonating Thomas Jefferson.

[Conservative til I die]

Believe me, those old nickels are worthless, unless you get some of the early ones in pristine condition. How many billions of nickels have been minted in the last 30 years alone?

[lawgirl]

Wow those are some bags under TJ's eyes!

[Conservative til I die]

It's not so annoying that it's being changed....it's the frequency and diversity of the change. We don't need a Dime of the Week.

The dime hasn't been changed in 58 years. The penny in 95. The nickel in about 66. I don't call that "coin of the week."

The quarter and nickel programs are part of a circulating commemorative program.

[Psycho_Bunny]

um.....ya....ok

[null and void]

When was the last time you saw a wheat penny?

About two weeks ago. It's out of circulation now...

[supercat]

Ten years from now you'll start seeing the Jefferson/Monticello nickels become more and more rare. Frankly, though I realize updating the design is probably not entirely a bad idea, I still am saddened by it.

The change from silver to base metals meant that old coins were obviously worth more than face value. For other changes, though, I don't see it as such an issue. Eagle quarters are still in very wide circulation, and even the bicentenial ones show up from time to time. I would expect Monticello nickels to likewise remain around.

[supercat]

But, then again, REAL money clinks not rustles.

I thought real money jingled and only slug money clinked?

[Conservative til I die]

um.....ya....ok

You debate that our coinage hasn't changed in several decades? I'm not sure I get your reply here. I mean, it's a fact.

[Chemist_Geek]

Jingle, clink, it's the same. My pocket covers up the details of the noise. :-)

[Verginius Rufus]

Today (9/17) The Wall Street Journal has an article about the new design for the Jefferson nickel (page C3). It says:

The word "liberty," in the third president's own handwriting, appears to the lower left.

[Centurion2000]

They are going to destabilize the currency with this.

[Verginius Rufus]

I haven't seen the Washington state quarter. Washington was the 42nd state admitted...the last one that I've seen is the Texas quarter (28th state).

So far they have been issuing the quarters in the order states ratified the Constitution (for the original 13 states) or were admitted to the Union. What about the 11 states that seceded and then were readmitted...shouldn't they get another reverse design to commemorate their readmission?

[null and void]

Thanks. I thought/hoped so.