The US 2003 Nickel, designed by Felix Schlag, featured Thomas Jeffersons portrait on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse. This coin was part of the Westward Journey Nickel Series, marking the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase. The US 2003 Nickel was struck in a copper-nickel blend, continuing the tradition of durable, affordable currency amidst growing economic changes in the U.S. following the 2001 recession.
The US 2003 Nickel also reflected political shifts under President George W. Bush’s administration, which focused on national security and economic recovery. Its design, commemorating the nations expansion, symbolized both historical reflection and a time of economic rebuilding. The US 2003 Nickel represented a key moment in U.S. coinage history, linking the past with modern economic conditions.