Q: What’s new for Iowa coin collectors?
A: Whether you’re an avid coin collector or consider coins more or less as loose change, many Iowans are familiar with the U.S. Mint’s 50-state quarter series. Launched in 1999, the ten-year program releases a newly designed 25-cent coin every ten weeks to honor each state in the order it was admitted to the union. In early September, the 29th quarter in the series will celebrate Iowa. The Iowa quarter features a one-room schoolhouse to showcase Iowa’s prized commitment to education in a design based on "Arbor Day," a painting by native Iowan Grant Wood. Iowans also may have noticed another change inside their coin purse. In the U.S. Mint’s first redesign to the nickel in 66 years, a new five-cent piece is being minted to celebrate the bicentennials of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. The original nickel’s alloy and weight measurements have not changed since being authorized in 1866, making it the oldest type of coin circulated in the United States. Since striking the first five-cent piece, four types of nickels have circulated, including: the Shield, Liberty Head, Indian Head/Buffalo and the Jefferson. The first Jefferson nickel was issued in 1938.
Q: What changes are in store for the nickel?
A: Congress approved a modified five-cent coin for all nickels issued in 2004 and 2005. The Westward Journey Nickel Series® reflects symbolic images of the historic voyage 200 years ago into the vast Louisiana Territory. The obverse of the nickel (heads side) will retain the likeness of Thomas Jefferson to honor his central role in doubling the size of the United States at the turn of the 19th century. Even in advance of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, America’s third president orchestrated the legendary expedition westward by privately requesting funds from Congress to send explorers beyond the Mississippi River to find a route to the Pacific Northwest. And so 200 summers ago, a corps of 45 adventurers made its way from the mouth of the Missouri River near St. Louis through what today is 11 states on a mission to find a transcontinental passageway. While in Iowa, the explorers achieved one of Jefferson’s primary objectives: meeting with Native Americans. Here, Lewis and Clark had their first significant encounter with the Oto and Missouri tribes near Council Bluffs. The reverse (tails side) of the 2004-dated nickel will have two versions in circulation. The first was issued on March 1, 2004 and depicts the original Jefferson Peace Medal that was presented to Native Americans as a token of good will. The design features clasped hands of friendship, a crossed tomahawk and a peace pipe. The second minted design features an angled view of the famous keelboat used by Lewis and Clark to navigate the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The vessel could be sailed, rowed, poled like a raft or towed from the riverbank. In 2005, the Westward Journey series will include two additional designs highlighting Native Americans and the culmination of the famous expedition. The reverse will depict Monticello, Jefferson’s home, starting again in 2006.
Q: When will the "Keelboat" nickel be launched in Iowa?
A: Iowans will be among the first in the nation to get their hands on a little piece of history on Friday, August 20, during the 150th annual Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. I will join Treasury Secretary John Snow to launch the debut of the "Keelboat" nickel and salute the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark’s passage through Iowa. I encourage folks coming to the fair that day to stop by the Bill Riley stage around 10 a.m. The Secretary and I will distribute free "Keelboat" nickels to kids ages 12 and under. Specialty collectors’ sets also will be for sale. Our event at the State Fair coincides with the anniversary of the death of Sgt. Charles Floyd, the only fatality of the famous expedition. Floyd was buried 200 years ago with full military honors on a bluff above Iowa’s western shoreline near Sioux City. Folks may find nickels from the Westward Journey series during everyday transactions at local retailers. The United States Mint will produce enough to meet demand through 2005. Consumers also may purchase specialty sets directly from the United States Mint at http://www.usmint.gov. Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is the manufacturer of legal tender coinage for the United States.