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2005 “Westward Journey” Jefferson Nickel

CoinTrap^TM Commentary: In 2003, legislation was passed calling for the redesign of the nickel, which resulted in the Westward Journey Nickel Series.  Four different nickel designs were entered into circulation from this series--two of them in 2004 and two more in 2005.

The two 2005 Westward Journey quarters are shown below.  The first design is dubbed the “American Bison” nickel and bears a newer image of President Thomas Jefferson on the obverse, and a side-view of an American bison grazing in a field on the reverse.

The second design is reffered to as the “Ocean in View!” Nickel and bears the same image of President Thomas Jefferson on the obverse, but on the reverse is illustrated a design based on a photograph by Andrew E. Cier of Astoria, Oregon showing the western waters as they might have been first viewed by the Corps of Discovery in November, 1805.

Coin Value: What is the value of your 2005 “Westward Journey” Jefferson Nickel? Well, as usual, it depends. The “Westward Journey” Jefferson Nickel worth or value depends on these main factors: (1) your coin’s grade, (2) whether it is a proof coin (Deep Cameo or DCAM) having a mirror-like polished finish, (3) scarcity/demand, and (4) whether it is the silver version.  Regarding your coin’s grade, it has become a standard in the field of numismatics (coin collecting) to grade coins on a point-scale from 1 (poor) to 70 (perfect). This is also referred to as the “Mint State” or just “MS” for short. Click here to find the up-to-date estimated value of your “Westward Journey” Jefferson Nickel coin from the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS^®), which takes all four factors mentioned above into account*. If you do not know the grade of your “Westward Journey” Jefferson Nickel, you can take it to your local coin dealer and ask that they have it graded at one of the three major coin grading services.

2005 First Design “Westward Journey” Jefferson Nickel - Obverse

Designer: Joe Fitzgerald
Engraver: Don Everhart

2005 First Design “Westward Journey” Jefferson Nickel - Reverse

“American Bison”

Designer: Joe Fitzgerald
Engraver: Donna Weaver

2005 Second Design “Westward Journey” Jefferson Nickel - Obverse

Designer: Joe Fitzgerald
Engraver: Don Everhart

2005 Second Design “Westward Journey” Jefferson Nickel - Reverse

“Ocean in View!”

Designer: Jamie Franki
Engraver: Norman E. Nemeth

United States Mint images. CoinTrap.com is not affiliated with the United States Government in any way. Click here for terms and conditions.

[[Page 117 STAT. 615]]

Public Law 108-15
108th Congress

                                 An Act

 To ensure continuity for the design of the 5-cent coin, establish the
   Citizens <<NOTE: Apr. 23, 2003 - [H.R. 258]>> Coinage Advisory
                   Committee, and for other purposes.

   Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress <<NOTE: American 5-Cent Coin Design
Continuity Act of 2003.>> assembled,

SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 31 USC 5101 note.>> SHORT TITLE.

   This Act may be cited as the ``American 5-Cent Coin Design
Continuity Act of 2003''.

         TITLE I--UNITED STATES 5-CENT COIN DESIGN CONTINUITY

SEC. 101. DESIGNS <<NOTE: 31 USC 5101 note.>> ON THE 5-CENT COIN.

   (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b) and after consulting with
the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts,
the Secretary of the Treasury may change the design on the obverse and
the reverse of the 5-cent coin for coins issued in 2003, 2004, and 2005
in recognition of the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the
expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
   (b) Design Specifications.--
           (1) Obverse.--If the Secretary of the Treasury elects to
       change the obverse of 5-cent coins issued during 2003, 2004, and
       2005, the design shall depict a likeness of President Thomas
       Jefferson, different from the likeness that appeared on the
       obverse of the 5-cent coins issued during 2002, in recognition
       of his role with respect to the Louisiana Purchase and the
       commissioning of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
           (2) Reverse.--If the Secretary of the Treasury elects to
       change the reverse of the 5-cent coins issued during 2003, 2004,
       and 2005, the design selected shall depict images that are
       emblematic of the Louisiana Purchase or the expedition of
       Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
           (3) Other inscriptions.--5-cent coins issued during 2003,
       2004, and 2005 shall continue to meet all other requirements for
       inscriptions and designations applicable to circulating coins
       under section 5112(d)(1) of title 31, United States Code.

SEC. 102. DESIGNS ON THE 5-CENT COIN SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECOGNITION OF
           THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE AND THE LEWIS AND
           CLARK EXPEDITION.

   (a) In General.--Section 5112(d)(1) of title 31, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after the 4th sentence the following

[[Page 117 STAT. 616]]

new sentence: ``Subject to other provisions of this subsection, the
obverse of any 5-cent coin issued after December 31, 2005, shall bear
the likeness of Thomas Jefferson and the reverse of any such 5-cent coin
shall bear an image of the home of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello.''.
   (b) Design Consultation.--The 2d sentence of section 5112(d)(2) of
title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, after
consulting with the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the
Commission of Fine Arts,'' after ``The Secretary may''.

. . .

   Approved April 23, 2003.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 258:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 108-20 (Comm. on Financial Services).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 149 (2003):
           Feb. 26, considered and passed House.
           Apr. 11, considered and passed Senate.
 

* CoinTrap^TM is not affiliated with the PCGS^®.  By clicking on the link above, you are opening a browser window containing content provided by a third party website and you will be subject to any terms and conditions as set forth on that website.

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