A First for the United States: Jefferson to Face Forward on 2006 Nickel

United States Mint Web Site ^ | 10/5/2005 | US Mint

[RayBob]

I like it. The new Jeffersonm portrait will remian on all future Jefferson Nickels.

[Borges]

Little known fact about Jefferson: He was one of the first people in America to own a piano.

[Verginius Rufus]

I have yet to see a 2005 nickel in circulation. Are all the ones being minted immediately going into collections?

[ScreamingFist]

I like it.

Me too!

[mathluv]

I have gotten two different ones in change - buffalo and lake?

[Atlas Sneezed]

I was doubting whether I have seen any of the new nickels. I think maybe I have seen the handshake reverse.

[RayBob]

There are 4 designs in the series so far; 2 in 2004 (Peace Medal [handshake] and Keel boat) and 2 in 2005 (Buffalo and "Ocean in View")

Here they are:

2004

2005

[Syncro]

The buffalo one is neat.

They should put the Indian head back on the front.

[My2Cents]

Personal favorite is the 2005 buffalo nickle. Kind of retro-looking.

[oyez]

I saw a buffalo quarter yesterday.

[KarlInOhio]

I saw a buffalo quarter yesterday.

Did you see any of the statehood nickels too? :-)

[KarlInOhio]

Of these four, I have seen only one coin in circulation. Are people eating them?

[My2Cents]

Thought this was pretty classy (obviously, a transitional form btw the standard profile and the frontal view) --

[oyez]

No, but the buffalo Quarter is for Kansas.

[elbucko]

I like it.

So do I.

In addition, I would like to see the mint produce a half-dollar coin with a dignified portrait of the caricature of "Uncle Sam" with the following motto:

"He's your Uncle not your Dad".

[KarlInOhio]

Hmmm. Have not seen one of those yet.

[epluribus_2]

This is OK. I guess. But it seemed that during the Clintoon years we had to change EVERYTHING just to "scent-mark" Washington and the country for the new ruler. The paper currency changes are particularly ugly and the new dollar coin was (yet another) joke. The quarters are more confusing, too. Call me old fashioned but we don't have to change everything just cause we can - or just because we have agencies or employees that need something to do.

[Brian328i]

I've collected probably about 20 of the 2004/2005 nickels so far. I have not used one in any of my transactions but have held on to them since they seem to be so few in number. The ones I've seen are a Buffalo, Handshake with a pipe and axe above, a tree standing in front of the ocean, and a ship.

[Verginius Rufus]

I have seen a lot of the 2004 nickels, both reverse designs.

Since 2005 was the 250th anniversary of his birth, maybe the 2005 nickels should have had Jefferson's cousin, John Marshall, on the obverse, with the Liberty Bell on the reverse (I believe the crack in the Liberty Bell developed when it was tolling for John Marshall in 1835). Of course that would have made TJ spin in his grave.