![Nickel Lesson Plans Banner](images/Banner_Westward-Nickel.jpg)
![Return to Monticello Nickel Reverse](images/2006_returnToMonticello.jpg)
Thanks to the Westward Journey Nickel Series™, America's nickel changed for the first time in 66 years! Five nickels are part of this series—two in 2004, two in 2005, and one in 2006. The '05 and '06 nickels also feature new portraits of President Thomas Jefferson.
The new designs celebrate two events of about 200 years before: the Louisiana Purchase and the westward journey of Lewis and Clark. To find out more about these coins, check out:
- For kids: the United States Mint H.I.P. Pocket Change™ New Nickels page.
- For adults: the Westward Journey Nickel Series information page.
For educators, the United States Mint offers a set of free lesson plans (for Kindergarten through twelfth grades) based on the new nickel designs. What a great opportunity to connect history with the coins in the very pockets of your students!
Download these lesson plans!