International WTF?

I just found a foreign coin in my pocket. As international as it is, all sorts of strange coins turn up in Anchorage, Russian, Canadian, Korean, NY Subway Tokens (and I don't know which is a more foreign country, Canada or New York).

I was surprised when I turned this coin over to find out it was a Jefferson Nickle. Then I flipped it back and looked at the new back. Monticello is gone. It has been replaced with two hands shaking, emblems on the cuffs suggest nationality.

At first I thought one hand was American and the other Mexican with the Mexican eagle on the cuff. All sorts of CAFTA/NAFTA related thoughts went through my mind. Then I saw the text "Louisiana Purchase" on it. It's the American eagle on the cuff of one hand and the other must be French. OK, so why are we recognizing this now? Aren't any and all things French gauche?

It could be worst if it was recognizing some sort of friendly agreement between US and the fermenting colostomy bag that hangs below our nation's nether regions, but this is just the lesser of two evils. The portrait of Monticello was better than either.

Lastly, the two hands shaking have their index fingers straight. What's up with this? Who keeps their index fingers straight when shaking hands? I sure don't. I give and expect a firm handshake. Is this the secret Freemason handshake?