Introducing the first-ever U.S. circulating coin with a facing portrait . . . The New 2006 Jefferson Nickel!

There’s a brand-new U.S. nickel for 2006! This historic issue is the fifth and final coin in the U.S. Mint’s popular Westward Journey series commemorating the bicentennials of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. The purchase of 828,000 square miles of French territory from Napoleon doubled the size of the United States overnight and changed the course of our history. This was undoubtedly one of Thomas Jefferson’s greatest achievements. The three-quarter facing portrait of President Jefferson on the new nickel is a historic first for U.S. coins— all the previous presidents on our circulating coinage, from Washington to Kennedy, have always been shown in profile. The new portrait design was inspired by noted American artist Rembrandt Peale’s 1800 painting, which shows the 57-year-old Jefferson as he looked just a year before he became our third president. To the right, above the year and mint mark, is the word “Liberty,” in the style of Jefferson’s own handwriting. Dubbed “Return to Monticello” by the U.S. Mint, the new nickel depicts Jefferson’s stately Virginia home (designed by Jefferson himself) on the reverse. This familiar building has been on our nickels for 65 years, but was suspended for the special Westward Journey reverses of 2004 and 2005. The new Monticello reverse looks a bit different than the old 2003 version— some of the fine details of the original 1938 Felix Schlag design have been carefully restored by current U.S. Mint engraver John Mercanti. We expect quite a few people will be setting aside 40-coin rolls of these 2006 first-year-of-issue nickels in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, so be sure to get yours before they become more difficult to obtain.   40- Coin Rolls We have rolls of Brilliant Uncirculated “P” (Philadelphia Mint) and “D” (Denver Mint) nickels of each of the five Westward Journey types issued. Since the 2004 and 2005 types are no longer being minted, and since 2006 is the first-year-of-issue for the new type, now’s the time to pick up rolls of nickels for each type and mint mark!   Popular 2004 and 2005 Nickels   The U.S. Mint is no longer producing 2004 and 2005 Westward Journey nickels, but we still have them available. The first coin issued in 2004, the “Peace Medal” type, has already become very hard to find, and prices have risen sharply. The design on the reverse of this coin is taken from the original Indian Peace Medal commissioned for Lewis and Clarke’s expedition. These silver medallions were made to be presented to the Indians as gifts at treaty signings and other events. The second nickel issued in 2004 shows the keelboat that was part of Lewis and Clarke’s expedition. Built to the specifications of Captain Lewis (shown standing on the bow), the 55-foot boat could be sailed, rowed, poled like a raft, or towed from the riverbank. In 2005, the Mint issued the “Bison” type, with a new portrait of Jefferson on one side, and on the other a magnificent American bison, one of the amazing wonders Lewis and Clark encountered on their two-year exploration of the vast new territory. The fourth coin in the series shows a scene of the Pacific Ocean, with an inscription taken directly from the journal of Captain William Clark, written after months of arduous travel: “Ocean in view! O! The joy!”   Six-Coin Sets of All Five Types Our artists have added magnificent enhancements to four coins of each type, creating deluxe six-coin commemorative sets. The sets consist of a colorized nickel, a 24-karat gold-plated nickel, a gold hologram nickel, and a silver hologram nickel— along with a Brilliant Uncirculated original Philadelphia (P) Mint and Denver (D) Mint nickel. The coins are individually encapsulated to protect and preserve them, and optional black plush presentation cases, each holding six coins, are available.