The 2004 Westward Journey Nickel Proof Set from the United States Mint commemorates one of the most important explorations in American history—the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This 6-coin set features both the Peace Medal and Keelboat reverse designs struck across three U.S. Mint facilities, offering collectors a complete snapshot of the first year in this historic series.

A Tribute to the Lewis & Clark Expedition

In 2004, the U.S. Mint introduced the Westward Journey Nickel Series to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase and the expedition that followed. These designs marked the first major change to the Jefferson Nickel in over 65 years, bringing new life and historical storytelling to a classic American coin.

The two 2004 reverse designs—Peace Medal and Keelboat—represent key moments in the journey westward, highlighting themes of diplomacy, exploration, and discovery.

6-Coin Set Breakdown

This set includes a total of six Jefferson nickels, combining both business strike and proof examples across three U.S. Mint facilities:

• Philadelphia Mint (P) – Brilliant Uncirculated
  • Peace Medal Reverse
  • Keelboat Reverse
• Denver Mint (D) – Brilliant Uncirculated
  • Peace Medal Reverse
  • Keelboat Reverse
• San Francisco Mint (S) – Proof Strikes
  • Peace Medal Reverse (Proof)
  • Keelboat Reverse (Proof)

Together, these coins represent all 2004 designs in both circulation-quality (BU) and collector-grade proof finishes, making this a well-rounded and display-ready set.

Design Highlights

Peace Medal Reverse: Inspired by historic Jefferson Indian Peace Medals, this design features clasped hands, a crossed peace pipe, and tomahawk—symbolizing diplomacy and cooperation between cultures encountered during the expedition.

Keelboat Reverse: Depicts the keelboat used by Lewis and Clark as they navigated rivers and waterways, emphasizing the physical journey and challenges of early American exploration.

Each coin retains the classic Thomas Jefferson obverse, maintaining continuity while introducing fresh historical narratives on the reverse.

Packaging & Presentation

This set is housed in its original U.S. Mint packaging, featuring a durable hard plastic display case set against a scenic backdrop representing the American frontier. The set is accompanied by an outer sleeve, making it ideal for display, gifting, or long-term collection.

Why Add This Set to Your Collection?

The 2004 Westward Journey Nickel Proof Set offers a unique combination of history, design variation, and multi-mint representation. With six coins spanning three mints and two historic reverse designs, this set provides both visual appeal and numismatic significance—perfect for collectors looking to own a complete first-year release of this iconic series.