The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 43, October 9, 2005, Article 6

NEW U.S. NICKEL OBVERSE UNVEILED

An Associated Press story on October 4 discussed the
newest design unveiled by the U.S. Mint:

"After nearly 100 years of depicting presidents in somber
profiles on the nation's coins, the Mint is trying something
different: The new nickel features Thomas Jefferson, facing
forward, with the hint of a smile.

"It isn't a silly smile or a smirk, but a sense of optimism that
I was trying to convey with the expression," says Jamie Franki,
an associate professor of art at the University of North
Carolina-Charlotte. His drawing was chosen out of 147 entries.

In unveiling the design Tuesday, Mint officials said they
believed the new image of Jefferson was an appropriate way
to commemorate his support for expanding the country through
the Louisiana Purchase and sending Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark to explore the territory in 1804-05."

"The new five-cent coin, which will go into circulation early
next year, is the last scheduled change in the nickel's appearance.
It will feature Jefferson's Monticello home on the reverse side
of the coin but in an updated image from the Monticello that
first began appearing on the nickel in 1938."

"Since Abraham Lincoln became the first president to be
depicted on a circulating coin, in 1909, presidents have always
been shown in profile, in part because profile designs remain
recognizable even after extensive wear on the coin. The Mint,
however, believes it has produced an image of Jefferson for
the new nickel that can stand up to heavy use."

"The coins will be called the Jefferson 1800 because Franki's
image of Jefferson is based on a Rembrandt Peale portrait of
Jefferson done in 1800, the year Jefferson was first elected
president."

To read the Mint's press release, see: Press Release

To see an image of the new design, go to: image

[Time will tell how well the new nickel wears in circulation.
The task of engraving the portrait will fall to Donna Weaver at
the U.S. Mint. It doesn't look like much of a smile to me, but
old Tom does appear to have a five o'clock shadow. It should
be a challenge to create a working die. This is an interesting
twist on coin portraiture, at least for the United States. What
other circulating coins feature a forward-looking portrait? How
well have the designs worn? -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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