Buffalo bounces back.

The U.S. Mint's director recently shared the spotlight with a live, one-ton bison to announce the newest U.S. coin. "The 2005 American Bison nickel," said Henrietta Holsman Fore, "will look significantly different from any nickels you've seen. It marks the first time that the image of President [Thomas] Jefferson has ever changed On the nickel, and we have the word in his handwriting." With a look at her companion, who is named Cody, Fore continued, "There is a beautiful, strong, classic American bison on the reverse.

Collectors are excited about the new coin, released into circulation on March 28. Jefferson s portrait has been changed from a head-and-shoulders image to an up-close profile (see left). The flip side echoes the famous buffalo nickel made from 1913 to 1938.

The American Bison nickel is the third in a series of four new nickels being released in 2004-2005, honoring the bicentennials of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. As President, Jefferson sent the explorers on a westward journey that took them about 8,000 miles--up the Missouri River, across the Rocky Mountains, down the Columbia and other rivers to the Pacific coast, and back.

The coin series commemorates this historic trek as well as the American Indians and wildlife Lewis and Clark encountered along the way.