2004 Westward Peace Nickel QUESTION

gary

What is the latest update on Mint's plans for Westward Peace Nickles?

I was told today, 4 years and then Mint will change back to Jeff's.

From what I have seen they won't grade well (only 10 MS67 so far)

Gary

DominusDeus

From what I understand, 2 designs for the reverse this year. Next year will yeild a new obverse portrait, and 2 new reverse designs. 2006 will keep next years new obverse portrait, and resume the Monticello, only it will be a new design as well.

CoinHunter2003

Too confusing for me. Why not make one really nice design and stick with it?

Artist

As far the Westward Journey Nickel series game plan is concerned, DominusDeus has it about right.

As you know, both 2004 designs have already been determined and released. Last winter, tasks went out to the Artistic Infusion Artists for the 2005 obverse portrait, as well as for both 2005 reverses. The first 2005 nickel will recognize the contributions of Native Americans, and the second will be a celebration of the culmination of the expidition. Infusion Artists were given wide latitude to interpret these tasks, and drawings were completed last spring. While the artists were asked to create one submission for their tasks, most submitted several drawings, offering multiple ideas. From them all, the NEA narrowed the field down to 18 drawings, 6 for each task category. The Mint then removed 1 on account of coinability issues. From these 17, the final designs will be selcted by the CCAC and CFC and the Secretary of the Treasury John Snow.

The nickel for 2006 will again be Jefferson and Monticello, but it will be completely different from Felix Schlag's design.

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Why so much change? My theory is this:

Legally, the Mint can chage designs under it's own authority, so long as the old desing is twenty-five years old or older, and the new design conforms design restrictions mandated by Congress. Generally, Congress and the public both supports design change, as evidenced by the popularity of the state quarters, but can also become suddenly sentimental and resistant to it. In fact, when the Mint fisrt started thinking about the Westward Journey Nickel series, a senator from Virginia drafted some "Keep Jefferson on the Nickel" legislation. By starting with temporary changes, the public is more apt to be enthused about the program; and should one of those changes then stick, they are less likely to notice or object.

My $.02 -

Artist

Conder101

<< <i>Legally, the Mint can chage designs under it's own authority, so long as the old desing is twenty-five years old or older, >>


The MINT has NO authority to initialize a change of the coinage. (other than small modifications for coinablity reasons) It doesn't matter how long the design has been in production. They can only produce the designs mandated. After a design has been in production for 25 yearsthe Secretary of the Treasury can order a change in design without the approval of Congress but the MINT can not do it without the Secretary's order.