New Nickel Shows Hint Of A Smile

(From The Associated Press)

After nearly 100 years of depicting U.S. presidents in somber profiles on the nation's 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," says JAMIE FRANKI, Associate Professor of Art at the University of North Carolina/Charlotte. His drawing was chosen out of 147 entries.

Mint officials said they believed the new image of Jefferson is 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 1804-1805.

The image of Jefferson will be accompanied by the word "LIBERTY" in Jefferson's own handwriting.

The new coin, which will go into circulation early next year, is the last scheduled change in the nickel's appearance.