In 2004 and 2005 the US Mint decided to change the look of the nickel. The full profile of Jefferson looking to the left has been on the nickel since the end of the Buffalo Nickel. This look first appeared in 1938 and the last year of this obverse was 2004. The westward journey Nichols commemorated the bicentennial of the Louisiana purchase and the journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark explore that territory, which was vast. 2004 the Louisiana Purchase/Peace Medal was adapted from the reverse of the original Indian Peace medal that was commission for that expedition. The obverse has the portrait of Thomas Jefferson as is was in 1938 when this nickel first appeared in circulation. The reverse contained the symbols of peace, two hands shaking and 2 crossed peace pipes. The Keelboat reverse displays the boat that carried the Lewis and Clark expedition through the rivers of the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. This boat was built to the specifications of Captain Lewis. It was 55 feet long and could be sailed, rowed, poled like a raft or pulled from the riverbank. 2005 saw the design change of Thomas Jefferson to a profile of his face looking to the right. This design came from a 1789 marble bust of Jefferson and the word Liberty was from the hand writing of Jefferson. As described by the journals of the expedition, a bison was designed in full profile facing to the right. The bison was highly valued by American Indians. The Ocean In View reverse shows cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The “Ocean in view! I! The joy!” Was from a November 7, 1805 entry in Clark’s journal. All four designs of the nickels were released in the years 2004 and 2005. In 2006 the new design of the Nickel was released. It is called the Jefferson Modified and is still being produced. The obverse was from a painting done of Jefferson in 1800. The reverse was back to the design of Monticello but it was updated to give it a fresher look. I have no idea of when, where or how I received this Harris album but I do like it. A nice history is presented. The Other American Nickels is another complete set of the four designs with P and D mint marks.
I love this series. It is incredibly difficult to find uncirculated pieces without flaws or marks or complete details. I have over the years searched without exaggeration a minimum of 4,000 coins. Lot of fun.
I kept all the loose Bison, filled my albums with all 4 coins, including the mint marks and spent the remainder. That gave me over $200 extra dollars to spend on my coins.
The Keelboat: My dad's house was built in 1840, SE Iowa. He took the old barn down and the main beam turned out to be the Keel from a Mississippi River Keelboat. It was about 30 feet long with a gentle curve. About 6 inches wide and about 10 inches high. It was mortised about every 12 inches for ribs. Neat item smooth as glass.
I personally prefer the look of the first obverse change with Jefferson looking to the right. Not much of a fan of coins with people looking directly at you, don't think it holds up as well in circulation especially with such a low relief, and it is a little creepy looking into jefferson's eyes LOL.
I always felt the same way. I loved the 2005 obverse and was really disappointed when it only lasted for 1 year.
I was sort of hoping it was Ottumwa, and the keelboat used to belong to Cpl. Radar's ancestors that used the keelboat to put up the telegraph lines, and that is how he ended up with the radar talent he has. But noooooo, you have to go and spoil my fantasy, with, of all the choices you could have used, Burlington. We are not talking about coats.
When I was a conductor on the RR Ottumwa was my West terminal. So I stayed there about every other night.
Indeed a great, limited series plus story of history, et al...thanks so much! Can't help but think of such longevity on our coins. As mentioned, the original Jefferson rendering on the nickel from 1938-2004 spanned 66 years which, coincidentally, is the same number of years without changes that Washington's profile appeared unchanged on the quarter...66 years...from 1932-1998...(not talking mint-marks or subtle tweaks)! As of today/2021, Jefferson...in one form or another before, during and after the Westward Journey series...continues on the nickel after 83 consecutive years, while Washington, likewise, has graced the quarter for 89 successive years...the longest and second-longest on any U.S. non-"copper" coins...! (Lincoln, of course, has graced the penny obverse for 112 years, since 1909). Amazing. But not to worry if anything should change with Tom and/or George...FDR isn't far behind, if not ahead of both plus also the penny in some ways: FDR has been on the dime in the same profile along with the same 'torch' reverse without ANY changes for 75 years this year...1946-2021...which no other coin can boast of. So, congrats and happy 75th anniversary to the Roosevelt dime...!
No. I understand that a lot of people in Ottumwa didn't like him because he became a real snob. My dad was an RR engineer that turned in Ottumwa. During WW II Richard Nixon was stationed at the Navy Station there. His wife, Patricia, worked at one of the banks. Dad knew them both. He said Richard was banned from every bar in town.
Fantastic story!!! A relative that resided in Council Bluffs, that was appointed by him to an Undersecretary position at the CPSC, told me that same story. Strangely enough, he worked for Wells Fargo, inspecting banks and I recall a story about a bank in Council Bluffs that had some embezzlement shenanaganins. That was in 68, or so. He later worked at WAPO with Jack Anderson. He always told me that Anderson was obsessed with Nixon, like Ahab chasing down Moby Dick. My 2 nephews, in their 50s, are still in Council Bluffs. They mention from time to time that Radar sucks.