WASHINGTON — The United States Mint announced today that the first 2005–dated 5–cent coin (nickel) of the Westward Journey Nickel Series™, featuring the new obverse portrait of President Thomas Jefferson and the American Bison reverse, will be available in two–roll sets and bags on February 28, 2005, beginning at 12:00 noon (ET).
Each 40–coin roll in the two–roll set is wrapped in a specially designed paper coin wrap that prominently displays “Westward Journey Nickel Series™,” a “P” or “D” representing the roll’s mint of origin, the year “2005,” and “$2” representing the face value of its contents. Each 500–coin bag is marked with “$25.00,” and each 1,000–coin bag is marked with “$50.00” to indicate the face value of each bag’s contents. Two–roll sets will sell for $8.95, bags of 500 coins for $45.95 and bags of 1,000 coins for $79.95.
Artist Joe Fitzgerald of Silver Spring, Maryland, designed the new obverse portrait of Jefferson, with the word “Liberty” written in Jefferson’s own hand. Artist Jamie Franki of Concord, North Carolina, designed the American Bison image, which recognizes the American Indians and wildlife encountered by the Lewis and Clark expedition. United States Mint sculptor/engraver Don Everhart executed the obverse design, and sculptor/engraver Norman E. Nemeth executed the coin’s reverse.
In late summer 2005, the second 2005–dated nickel, “Ocean in view! O! The joy!” reverse will replace the American Bison.
These two–roll sets and bags, featuring circulation quality nickels and struck on our main production floors at the United States Mint at Philadelphia and Denver, will be shipped directly to customers. There is no order limit on these products. Please allow approximately two to three weeks for delivery.
Customers can purchase the 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 (872–6468). 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. Bags of 500 and 1,000 coins will each have an additional charge of $7.95 per bag because of their weight and size.