Jefferson Westward Journey Nickels
(2004 - 2005)
In 2004 and 2005, the U.S. Mint temporarily redesigned the Jefferson nickel to commemorate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Louisiana Purchase. While the composition remained the standard 75% copper and 25% nickel, both the obverse and reverse designs were modified during this two-year series.
2004 Designs (Two Reverse Types):
Peace Medal Reverse – Depicts the Indian Peace Medal given to Native American leaders during the expedition.
Keelboat Reverse – Shows the expedition’s keelboat used to transport men and supplies.
Both 2004 coins retained the original left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson.
2005 Designs (Two Types):
American Bison Reverse – Features a detailed image of a buffalo, echoing classic frontier imagery.
Ocean in View Reverse – Displays the inscription “Ocean in View! O! The Joy!” taken from expedition journals.
In 2005, the obverse portrait of Jefferson was redesigned into a forward-facing image, marking the first major change to his likeness since 1938.
The Westward Journey series is widely collected by date and design type. Though common in circulation, these coins represent an important modern transition in the Jefferson nickel series and paved the way for the updated forward-facing portrait introduced in 2006.
Check out dates & mintages for Jefferson Westward Journey Nickels, below.
2004-P Obverse
Peace Medal Reverse
Keelboat Reverse
2005-P Obverse
American Bison Reverse
Western Waters ReverseBusiness Strikes
2004-P Peace Medal | 361,440,000
2004-D Peace Medal | 372,000,000
2004-P Keelboat | 366,720,000
2004-D Keelboat | 344,880,000
2005-P American Bison | 448,320,000
2005-D American Bison | 487,680,000
2005-P Ocean in View | 394,080,000
2005-D Ocean in View | 411,120,000
Proof Strikes
2004-S Proof Peace Medal | 2,992,069
2004-S Proof Keelboat | 2,965,422
2005-S Proof American Bison | 3,344,679
2005-S Proof Ocean in View | 3,344,679
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