Friends Forever
According to reports, the US Mint has created a new nickel, which should be in wide distribution over the next few weeks. Jefferson will still be on the heads side, but the tails side is getting an update. The description:
On the back of the new nickels, Jefferson's home, Monticello, is replaced with a scene that commemorates the Louisiana Purchase. There's an image of hands clasped in friendship, one with a military cuff to symbolize the U.S. government, and the other with an ornate bracelet to represent American Indians.
Even this conservative advocate of traditional/conventional history has to arch an eyebrow over this warm and fuzzy portrayal of US military - Indian relations post-Louisiana Purchase. I’m sure for many Americans this will be a new way to view our own history. But if it leads to greater racial harmony and brotherhood in the future, I’m all for it and will be happy to embrace this characterization.
In this spirit, the striking graphic similarities between the new coin and a certain 1987 rock and roll album suddenly make sense. Via Bill Tuomala, a numismatic separated at birth.
The new nickel
and
The cover of the Replacements’ “Pleased to Meet Me”
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