Knocking around in pocket change on my recent East Coast trip was the 2004 nickel with the new back (right), commemorating the Louisiana Purchase.

After all these years using Jefferson's Monticello as the visual cue for the back of the five-cent piece, the new design caused me to do a double-take as I fished around for toll change along the Garden State Parkway. Especially with all the funky "50 state" backs on quarters these days, a new reverse side to the nickel is confusing. I have had no trouble with the ill-fated Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea dollars, but the new nickel kind of threw me.

Coming soon, another nickel back, this one in honor of Lewis & Clark. Monticello won't return until 2006.

Oh, well. It's nice to see the U.S. currency bag being shaken up as vigorously as it is these days. It's only a matter of time before we come to our senses and accept one dollar and two dollar coins, the way those kooky Canadians do.