WASHINGTON — The United States Mint announced today that 2003–dated Jefferson 5–cent coins (nickels) will go on sale in two–roll sets (40 coins per roll) — including one Philadelphia and one Denver mint mark coin roll each — and in bags of 1,000 coins, beginning November 7, 2003, at 3:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).
The 2003–dated nickel, featuring a likeness of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse (heads) and a likeness of Jefferson’s home at Monticello on the reverse (tails), was first issued on November 15, 1938. Felix Schlag was the winner of a design contest for the Jefferson nickel from among nearly 400 artists and was awarded $1,000 for his design.
New reverse designs honoring the Louisiana Purchase and the westward journey by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark will appear on the 2004– and 2005–dated nickels. On April 23, 2003, President Bush signed into law the “American 5–Cent Design Coin Continuity Act” (Public Law 108–15), which authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to change the obverse and reverse of nickels issued in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
Each 40–coin roll in the two–roll set is wrapped in a specially–designed United States Mint paper coin wrap that prominently displays “Jefferson Nickel,” a “P” or “D” representing the roll’s mint of origin, the year “2003” and “$2” representing the face value of its contents. Each bag is marked with the mint of origin, “Jefferson Nickel” and “$50.00” indicating the face value of its contents. Two–roll sets will sell for $8.95 and bags of 1,000 coins for $79.95.
These two–roll sets and bags, featuring circulation quality nickels and struck on our main production floors at the Philadelphia and Denver Mint facilities, will be shipped directly to customers. There is no order limit on these products. Please allow approximately 2–3 weeks for delivery.
Customers can purchase the 2003–dated Jefferson nickels in two–roll sets and bags by using the United States Mint’s secure website, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1–800–USA–MINT. For more information about this ordering method, please visit www.usmint.gov. Hearing– and speech–impaired customers may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders. Nickel bags of 1,000 coins will also have an additional charge of $7.95 per bag due to weight and size.