Owner Comments:
**** Classic Schlag Design Restored to Original Clarity ****
SAN FRANCISCO – The United States Mint announced today that the 1938 classic rendition of President Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia home of Monticello by Felix Schlag will return to the reverse of the Nation’s 2006 nickel. However, the design will be crisper and more detailed than Americans have seen it in recent years, having been carefully restored by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver John Mercanti, using Schlag’s original artwork. Over more than 65 years of production, the United States Mint had slightly modified the design for technical reasons, such as die life extension. But now the Nation’s five-cent coin will display more of Schlag’s artistry.
“Numismatists who examine the new 2006 nickel carefully will see an image that is now closer to the detail that Schlag intended,” said United States Mint Associate Director for Sales and Marketing, Gloria Eskridge, at a media availability during the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money.
“I strengthened the architecture of the image and re-established elements that reflect the original Schlag model,” explained Sculptor-Engraver Mercanti. “For instance, the facets of the dome of Monticello had just disappeared on the nickel over the years. They are back now.”
Among the changes discussed by Ms. Eskridge and Mr. Mercanti were:
• Facets of the dome of Monticello have been restored.
• The balconies of the building have been reworked.
• The detail around the door and windows has been incised and restored.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------