Take a good look at a nickel. Soon, it will have two shiny new designs. The U.S. Mint, which makes American coins, announced the changes last Thursday. They make a lot of cents!
The image of Thomas Jefferson stays on the front of the coin. As President in 1803, Jefferson made a deal for the U.S. to buy a huge area of land from France. Next spring, the back of a new nickel will honor that deal, known as the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson then sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the land. Next fall, the back of a second nickel will honor the 200th anniversary of their trip.
The nickel hasn't changed in 65 years. Henrietta Holsman Fore is the director of the U.S. Mint. "This is a historic moment for the nation," she says.