Smiling, forward-facing Jefferson on new U.S. nickel

   WASHINGTON — After nearly 100 years of depicting presidents in sombre profiles on its coins, the U.S. Mint is trying something different: the new nickel features Thomas Jefferson, facing forward, with the hint of a smile.

   "It isn't a silly smile or a smirk but a sense of optimism that I was trying to convey with the expression," said Jamie Franki, an associate professor of art at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. His drawing was chosen out of 147 entries.

   In unveiling the design Tuesday, mint officials said they believed the new image of Jefferson was an appropriate way to commemorate his support for expanding the country through the Louisiana Purchase and sending Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory in 804-05.

   "The image of a forward-looking Jefferson is a fitting tribute to that vision,” said David Lebryk, acting director of the mint.

   For the last two years, the mint has changed the design of the nickel every six months to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition, both f which occurred during Jefferson's administration.

   The new five-cent coin, which will go into circulation early next year, is the last scheduled change in the nickel's appearance. It will feature Jefferson's Monticello home on the reverse side of the coin but in an updated image from the Monticello that first began appearing on the nickel in 1938.

--- Associated Press

An artist rendering provided by the U.S. Mint shows the front and back of the new nickel that will go into production in 2006. After nearly 100 years of depicting presidents in somber profiles on the coins, the mint is trying something different: The new nickel features Thomas Jefferson, facing forward, with the hint of a smile.