Coin Collecting

Marine Corps Commemorative Silver Dollar 2005

By J. Claud Wallace

This year, the United States proudly honors the Marine Corps and all Marines who have sacrificed and contributed in our Nation’s service. Surcharges from the sale of each coin are authorized for the creation of the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia, which is being developed as a partnership of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the United States Marine Corps. Coins are tentatively scheduled to be released 20 July.

2005 Nickels

By J. Claud Wallace

In commemoration of the bicentennials of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition, the President enacted Public Law 108-15 to modify the Jefferson 5-cent coin (nickel) to reflect images evocative of the historic expedition into the Louisiana Territory. The United States Mint began the Westward Journey Nickel Series™ in 2004 with the release of the Peace Medal and Keelboat nickels. In 2005, a contemporary image of President Jefferson will appear on the nickel, along with two new reverse designs that recognize the American Indians and wildlife encountered by the Lewis and Clark expedition and the progress and culmination of the journey. Depictions of Monticello and Thomas Jefferson will return to the nickel in 2006.

2005 Obverse Design: "President Jefferson with Handwritten Liberty"

2005 Nickel Obverse
The obverse design for the 2005 nickels will bear, for the first time in 67 years, a new likeness of America's third president, Thomas Jefferson. The "Liberty" inscription on the coin is based upon Jefferson's own handwriting. The design is based on the marble bust of Jefferson by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon, completed in 1789. The design was made age-appropriate to his presidency by utilizing later paintings by Gilbert Stuart and Rembrandt Peale.

The design was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist, Joe Fitzgerald, of Silver Spring, Maryland. United States Mint sculptor-engraver Don Everhart sculpted the design.

2005 Spring Reverse Design: "American Bison"
 

The first of two new reverses on the 2005-dated nickel will feature the American bison, recognizing the American Indians and wildlife encountered by the Lewis and Clark expedition. Expedition journals described the buffalo, and it was an animal of great significance to many American Indian cultures.

The design was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist, Jamie Franki, of Concord, North Carolina. United States Mint sculptor-engraver Norman E. Nemeth sculpted the design.

2005 Summer/Fall Reverse Design: "Ocean in view! O! The joy!"

In late 2005, the nickel will feature a scene of the Pacific Ocean and an inscription reflecting an excited entry in the journal of Captain William Clark on November 7, 1805. The design visually depicts the expedition's exultation on believing they had finally reached the Pacific Ocean after so many months of arduous travel.

The design was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist, Joe Fitzgerald, of Silver Spring, Maryland, and was sculpted by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Donna Weaver.

2004 Nickels

By J. Claud Wallace

2004-Dated Nickel Series Facts:

In commemoration of the Louisiana Purchase, and Lewis and Clark's expedition, the President enacted Public Law 108-15 to modify the Jefferson five-cent coin (nickel) in 2003, 2004 and 2005, to reflect images evocative of their historic expedition into the Louisiana Territory. A depiction of Monticello will return to the nickel in 2006. The obverse will continue to bear the likeness of President Jefferson.

2004 Spring Design: "Louisiana Purchase/Peace Medal"

The first of two new reverses on the 2004-dated Jefferson nickel will feature a rendition of the reverse of the original Indian Peace Medal commissioned for Lewis and Clark's expedition, bearing the likeness of America's third  the other. The medals were presented to Native American chiefs and other important leaders as tokens of goodwill at treaty signings and other events.

The design, by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Norman E. Nemeth, features two hands clasped in friendship - one with a military uniform cuff, symbolizing the American government, and the other with a silver band adorned with beads and a stylized American eagle, representing the Native American community with whom the United States sought good relations.

2004 Fall Design: "Keelboat"

In late 2004, the 2004-dated Jefferson nickel will feature an angled, side-view of the keelboat with full sail that transported members of the expedition and their supplies through the rivers of the Louisiana Territory in search of a northwest passage to the Pacific Ocean. Built to the specifications of Captain Lewis, the 55-foot keelboat could be sailed, rowed, poled like a raft, or towed from the riverbank. The design, by United States Mint sculptor/engraver Al Maletsky, shows Captains Lewis and Clark in full uniform in the bow of the keelboat.

Gerard Baker, a Native American and Superintendent of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, comments on the Peace Medal.

General information on Coin Collecting

WEB SITE REFERENCES:
1. www.usmint.gov is the official mint site.
2. www.coinworld.com has a lot of current information about coins.

BACKGROUND:
Three of the US Mints will produce these coins at the rate of 5 each year from 1999 until 2008.  Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) will produce the coins for circulation while San Francisco (S) will produce the proof coins in both clad and silver.  There will be 200 different coins in this collection when the series is completed in 2008.

STATUS:
As of 29 March 2000 the first 7 coins have been released in the order that the States joined the Union. In order of their minting they are:  Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maryland.  The other 3 State's coins to be minted in 2000 are South Carolina, New Hampshire and Virginia.  An image of the 5 coins for issue in 2000 is at the top of this page.

HOW TO COLLECT:
There are many variations of collections that range from one coin from each State to a roll from each State for the P & D mints.  Of course the outer limit is to collect all 200 different coins.  As each coin comes out there are reports of mint errors which also become collectors items.

To help demonstrate some ways to collect I will list a few albums that are available.  This list is not complete but will give you an idea of what is available and about what each will cost.

Lots of others

• The DANSCO & Whitman Classic Albums have acetate on both sides of the coin.  The others do not have the coins protected.

• See www.kelgory.com for more information on albums.

SWAPS:
Collectors in the West can get only "D" mint coins from the bank while those in the East only get "P" mint coins.  I have made an arrangement with a member in the east to swap "D" coins for "P" coins.  I propose that this part of the page be dedicated to the bringing together of the Western and Eastern collectors for the purpose of obtaining mutual agreements for swapping coins.  That way the only premium is the cost of the mailing.  If you have access to Bank rolled uncirculated Quarters or if you want to find a swap partner just e-mail me your name and what you want to do and I will post your desires here for anyone to be able to contact you.  Only half of any arrangement will ever show here so you will have privacy.