Jefferson Peace Nickels

[MoseyWalker]

I did not know this until just now.

http://www.kelleyscoins.com/us-coins/jefferson/index.asp

"The United States Mint has proudly announced the release of the 2004-dated 5-cent coins (nickels), the first of the Westward Journey Nickel Series and featuring a rendition of the reverse of the original Jefferson Peace Medal (1801) by John Reich. It is the first time in 66 years (1938) that the Nation will receive a newly-designed nickel.

The new reverse of the 2004 nickel (type 1) features a rendition of the reverse of the original Jefferson Peace medal commissioned for Lewis and Clark’s expedition, depicting clasped hands, signifying peace, and the inscriptions “Louisiana Purchase” and “1803,” commemorating the bicentennial of President Jefferson’s historic land purchase from France. The medals were presented to Native American chiefs and other important leaders as tokens of goodwill."

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Is this a joke, or another symbol of hypocrisy, or was someone being serious?

[SaveElmer]

1. These nickels have been in circulation for 3 years...

They commemorate the Lewis and Clark expedition...

One has a rendition of the Keel boat use dby the expedition...

The other a replica of the Peace medal...

[ellisonz]

2. I understand your point and agree with it...

But the one good thing about the Purchase was that it did get Napolean Bonaparte and the French out of North America. The treaty was tremenoudsly contested in Congress by the Federalists who believed opening "Westward expansion" further would jepordize the political power of New England. John Quincy Adams was the only Federalist to vote for the treaty and for that he was voted out of the Senate 9 months before his term was up. JFK chronicles this story more in depth in "Profiles in Courage,'' but Adams was scorned as a traitor to his people. Of course I agree that there were genocidal acts committed against the "Native Americans," but really would you have preferred continued French presence in North America? It was a rough and tumble time...removed from our own...and is now fast receeding into history. The coin isn't commemorating politics, but rather the historical act of the Louisiana Purchase in its broader sense, and at least maybe it will inspire some people to become more historically conscious, because as we all know this country is wallowing in its own ignorance.

Edit: I better :hide: :popcorn:

[MoseyWalker]

3. Thanks

for your informative point of view.