Comparison of Jefferson Nickels 2003, 2004, and 2005: The Westward Journey Series

The U.S. nickel coins issued in 2003, 2004, and 2005 are very important to those who study the coins because they show a very large period of design change over the years: the Jefferson Nickel, and the old Buffalo Nickel, which ceased production in 1938.

And you should also be aware that the 2004 and 2005 Buffalo Nickel coins are part of the Journey to the West Nickel Series, released in honor of the 200th anniversary of the purchase of Louisiana by the United States and the journey of Lewis and Clark.

General Coin Facts and What They Are Made Of

All the nickel coins from 2003, 2004, and 2005 have the same metal and size, but this does not change the differences in the pictures:

• What the Metal is Made Of: The coins are 75% copper and 25% nickel, and this mix has been the same since 1866

• Weight: Each coin weighs 5.00 grams.

• Round Size: The size is 21.21 millimeters

• Thickness: The coins are 1.95 millimeters thick

• Face Value: Five Cents

The 2003 Jefferson Nickel: The End of the Old Time

The 2003 nickel is the last coin that had the old, classic picture that was used from 1938, and before the big changes started.

Picture and Special Things

• Front Side: It has the picture of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the USA, looking to the left, a picture made by Felix Schlag. 

This picture was used until the end of 2003, and the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" are on the left, and "LIBERTY" and the year are on the right.

• Back Side: It shows the picture of Jefferson’s house, Monticello. The word "MONTICELLO" is in the middle, and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is above it.

• Key Difference: This design is the only one of the three years that used the full, old picture made by Schlag on both the front and the back.

Coin Value and How Many Were Made

• How Many Were Made: Many, many of these coins were made at the Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) mints, so it is used every day.

• "Full Steps" Special Type: People who collect look for coins with something called "Full Steps Monticello" — the six small steps to the front door of the Monticello house on the back of the coin must be clear and look perfect without any damage.

The 2004 Jefferson Nickels: The Start of the "Westward Journey" 

The year 2004 began the special coin series. In this year, two very different coins with new pictures on the back were made, which had not happened with the nickel since 1938.

General Front Side of 2004: New Side View

• Picture: A new picture of Jefferson was put on the front side in 2004. Joe Fitzgerald made this picture like an old marble head of Jefferson, but he still looks to the left.

• Difference from 2003: The picture is bigger, has more small parts, and looks more modern — the first big change from the 2003 coin.

Coin 2004, Back Side 1: The "Peace Medal"

• Picture: It shows a picture of the peace medal that Lewis and Clark gave to the Native American leaders. The medal has a tool and a pipe crossing each other, meaning peace and talking.

• History Link: This coin shows how the trip leaders tried to make friends and talk with the people during the trip.

• How Many Were Made: N/A, but many were made, so it is a normal coin.

Coin 2004, Back Side 2: The "Keelboat"

• Picture: It shows the Keelboat, the main boat that the group used to travel up the Missouri River, you can see the people in the boat.

• Meaning: The boat shows the trip itself, the hard work of the people, and how they used the river to travel.

Coin Value and Special Mistakes of 2004

• Special Mistake: The most famous coin mistake is the "Double Stamped Back Side" (2004-D DDR) on the Keelboat coin made in Denver. 

These coins show clear double lines on the boat parts, especially near the front.

• Result: The year 2004 is important because of the two new back sides and the first change to the front picture since 1938.

The 2005 Jefferson Nickels: Bison and Ocean

The year 2005 brought the most extreme changes as it showed a new, third picture of Jefferson in three years and two new back sides.

General Front Side of 2005: New Looking Forward

• Picture: A new picture made by Jamie Franki and Donald Everhart. 

For the first time since 1938, Jefferson is not looking to the side, but his face looks forward to the right like a three-quarter view — the biggest and most personal picture of the President on the coin.

• "LIBERTY" Words: The word «LIBERTY» on the 2005 coin is special because it is written in a style that looks like Thomas Jefferson’s own handwriting from his old letters.

Coin 2005, Back Side 1: The "American Bison"

• Picture: It shows a large American bison animal standing on a small hill, Jamie Franki made this picture, and it looks like the old "Buffalo Nickel," but it is a new picture.

• Difference: The 2005 coin is the first coin since 1938 to have a picture of an animal on the back.

Coin 2005, Back Side 2: "Ocean in View"

• Picture: It shows a picture of the Pacific Ocean coast, the end of the long land trip for the explorers.

• Key Words: It has a special quote: "OCEAN IN VIEW! O! THE JOY!" These are the words that William Clark wrote in his diary on November 7, 1805 — the only USA coin with a direct quote.

Coin Value and Special Mistakes of 2005

• Popularity: Both 2005 designs were very liked and many were made, but they are important because of their history and special pictures.

• "Speared Bison" Special Type: There is a known mistake called the "Speared Bison" on the coin made in Denver (2005-D): a line or mark that goes across the Bison’s back. 

• Result: It has the biggest picture changes and the two most known back sides: the popular Bison and the special quote coin.

So, the 2003 nickel is the last coin of the old time, and collectors only need a coin in perfect condition. 

The 2004 nickels were the first signs of change: they had a new face and two new flips, indicating the beginning of a long journey. 

And finally, 2005 brought the biggest changes, giving us a completely new look of Jefferson and two flip sides, which people remember most of all with a quote from the diary.