Designed by:
Felix Schlag & Norman Nemeth (2004 Peace Medal)
Felix Schlag & Al Maletsky (2004 Keel Boat)
Joe Fitzgerald & Jamie Franki (2005 Bison)
Joe Fitzgerald (2005 Western Waters)
Issue Dates: 2004 - 2005
Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
Diameter: 21.2 mm
Weight: 5.00 grams (76.16 grains)
Edge: Plain
Business Strike Mintage: 3,186,240,000
Proof Mintage: 12,646,849

In 2004 and 2005, the United States Mint launched ... Read More

Designed by:
Felix Schlag & Norman Nemeth (2004 Peace Medal)
Felix Schlag & Al Maletsky (2004 Keel Boat)
Joe Fitzgerald & Jamie Franki (2005 Bison)
Joe Fitzgerald (2005 Western Waters)
Issue Dates: 2004 - 2005
Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
Diameter: 21.2 mm
Weight: 5.00 grams (76.16 grains)
Edge: Plain
Business Strike Mintage: 3,186,240,000
Proof Mintage: 12,646,849

In 2004 and 2005, the United States Mint launched the “Westward Journey” Nickel Series, a commemorative program honoring the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the subsequent expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. This historically significant coinage initiative marked a temporary departure from the long-standing Jefferson nickel design, introducing both obverse and reverse modifications that highlighted key moments of westward expansion.

The first year of the series, 2004, retained the classic Jefferson obverse introduced in 1938 but introduced two new reverse designs. The first, the Peace Medal reverse, depicted the handshake from the original Indian Peace Medals presented by Lewis and Clark to Native American tribal leaders. The second, the Keelboat reverse, featured the vessel used by the Corps of Discovery during their early riverine journey along the Missouri River.

In 2005, a new obverse portrait of Thomas Jefferson was unveiled, replacing the longstanding profile. Designed by Joe Fitzgerald and sculpted by Don Everhart, the new obverse showcased a forward-facing, three-quarter view of Jefferson, inspired by the 1789 marble bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon, considered one of the most accurate likenesses of the third U.S. president.

Two additional reverse designs accompanied the updated obverse in 2005. The American Bison reverse paid tribute to the wildlife encountered by the expedition on the Great Plains, and the Ocean in View reverse commemorated the expedition’s momentous arrival at the Pacific Coast, referencing a famous journal entry by William Clark.

To support public engagement and collector interest, the U.S. Mint issued special sets featuring all four reverse designs along with their respective obverses. These modern commemorative issues have since become a notable and popular segment of the Jefferson nickel series, appreciated for their historical narrative and artistic variation within the five-cent denomination.