New Nickel Design (2308 hits)
Category: NoneRating: -0.16 on 9 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Thanatos (View user info) at 2003-11-06 13:45:14 EST
Quick summary for anyone who won't bother to read the article: Essentially two new designs are coming out for the US nickel. My question is, why the hell are they doing this? So they can honor some guys that have been dead for over a hundred years? Sure new coins may look cool, but the government undoubtedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on this project, designing and implementing a new nickel design for what? All I see in it is another waste of taxpayer money.
U.S. Nickel to Get New Design on Back
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By JEANNINE AVERSA, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - After 65 years, the nickel is getting a change.
AP Photo
In fact, the U.S. Mint announced Thursday that the back of the 5-cent piece will feature two new looks in 2004, one to come out in the spring, the other in the fall.
The new nickels will commemorate the bicentennial of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase and the 1804-1806 Lewis and Clark expedition.
The current design was introduced in 1938, and features the image of Thomas Jefferson on the front and his home, Monticello, on the back.
"This is a historic moment for the nation, the first change in our nickel in 65 years," declared Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore.
Jefferson's face, however, will remain on the front of the new nickels, along with the inscriptions "In God We Trust," and the word "Liberty."
The back of the nickel that will be released in the spring bears the words "United States of America" around the top of the coin. Underneath that are the words "Louisiana Purchase," and under that, "1803" is centered on the coin.
The back carries an image of clasped hands, signifying friendship. Above the clasped hands is a tomahawk crossed by a peace pipe, signifying peace. The images are similar to those carried on Jefferson Peace Medals, which were presented ceremonially to Indian chiefs and other important leaders. Below the clasped hands are the Latin words "E Pluribus Unum," and hugging the bottom of the coin is the denomination: "Five Cents."
On the second nickel, going into circulation in the fall, the back features an angled view of the keelboat with full sail that the Lewis and Clark expedition used to travel the rivers of the Louisiana territory in search of the northwest passage to the Pacific Ocean. Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are in full uniform in the bow of the boat. Under the image are the words "Lewis & Clark."
Around the top of the coin it says "United States of America" and underneath that "E Pluribus Unum." Again, the denomination appears at the bottom of the coin, "Five Cents."
The Mint expects to make around 500 million of each nickel design, said Fore. How many nickels are minted depends on the country's overall demand for coins, she pointed out.
The nickel's look will change again in 2005 — but will still honor the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition themes, Fore said.
Jefferson was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase, which at the time doubled the size of the United States. He also was the force behind the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Pacific coast and back.
Legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush (news - web sites) in April cleared the way for the Mint to give the nickel a makeover to recognize these two important events in U.S. history.
In 2006, Jefferson's Monticello will return to the back of the nickel, although possibly in an image different from the one on the current coins. And the image of Jefferson on the front also might look different in 2006.
The Jefferson and Monticello images that appear on current coins had replaced what was known as the buffalo, bison or Indian head nickels, which had been in circulation since 1913.
Vending machines will be able to accept the new nickels because their composition and size remain the same, said Mint spokesman Michael White.
User Reviews
Submitted by HiDude at 2004-04-14 13:05:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Instead of bagging on the post, find a link and post it to help others out. Here is one that is found through google:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/2004-03-03-nickel_x.htm
Submitted by moose74 (user info) at 2004-03-15 19:12:01 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Theres going to be a peace pipe on our money now? It's about time we got drug paraphernalia on our currency. Seriously though, a picture or direct link the article would have been nice. -1 for that.
Submitted by Phinch (user info) at 2004-03-15 18:57:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I like how the folks that make the coins find this incredibly interesting, groundbreaking, and historical. and i just dont care at all.
Submitted by Cameron at 2004-03-15 18:46:52 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
You should of put in a picture!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. Don't swear in your rankings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Choppa (user info) at 2003-11-06 20:08:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
every year down here we get special looking coins that commemarate something.
one time it was for 'year of the oldies'
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2003-11-06 19:57:37 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Illicit_Joe (user info) at 2003-11-06 14:13:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Why? Why waste our fucking money on making money which is perfectly fine. It's not like the nickle design is offensive of someone is counterfitting them.
Does this mean those annoying canadian nickles will be changed to american ones? :)
Submitted by SINNFUL <SPRINT> at 2003-11-06 13:51:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
No Comment
Submitted by ChristPuncher (user info) at 2003-11-06 13:49:00 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
You should of posted a picture instead of the article, and the topic should have been mutant hobos in Antartica rather than what the new nickel looks like.
GO BEARS WOO!!!