Westward Journey Nickel Collection

In 2004 and 2005, the U.S. Mint struck a series of commemorative Nickels for the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

These were the first commemorative Nickels in U.S. history. This set includes the complete collection of four Westward Journey Nickels issued in 2004 and 2005 from both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, plus the 2006 Return to Monticello Nickel from Philadelphia and Denver. 

Each coin was struck for circulation at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints and features a one-time-only reverse design that was issued for only a few months. Reverses of 2004 coins show the Peace Medal design and the Keelboat design to symbolize the start of the Expedition; the obverse is the original portrait of Thomas Jefferson that first appeared on the Nickel in 1938.  Jefferson was President at the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804-1806. Reverses of 2005 coins show a buffalo and the Pacific Ocean to symbolize the end of the Expedition. 2005 coins also include a new one-year-only portrait of Jefferson on the obverse. The word Liberty next to Jefferson's portrait is in Jefferson's handwriting. The 2006 coin features Jefferson's home at Monticello in Virginia on the reverse, as well as a new portrait of Jefferson. The portrait on the 2006 Nickel is the first forward-facing portrait of a President on a circulating coin.

All 10 coins are displayed with information about the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the Westward Journey Nickels collection.