2005 Bison Nickel Value Guide

The 2005 Bison Nickel Value

2005 bison nickels remain consistent in value across its circulation-strike versions except when getting into the higher mint-state grades. 

The same is true for the specimen-strike versions.

The proof-strike version is similar in value to the specimen-strike versions but is less valuable overall.

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 2005 bison nickel with that grade, or no value information (or not enough) exists for it yet.

Additionally, all values are conservative estimates based on research. Please note all values are subject to change due to the market or circumstances unaccounted for during research and publication. We always recommend doing further research or consulting with a professional.

Melt Value

The 2005 bison nickel’s melt value is approximately negligible. The melt value will fluctuate with the market.

Circulation Strike Value Chart

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	2005-P Bison Nickel	2005-D Bison Nickel	2005-D Speared Bison Nickel
Good – G	$0.15	$0.15	N/A
Very Good – VG	$0.15	$0.15	N/A
Fine – F	$0.15	$0.15	N/A
Very Fine – VF	$0.15	$0.15	$16
Extra Fine – XF	$0.15	$0.15	$40
About Uncirculated – AU	$0.15-$0.20	$0.15-$0.20	$54-$88
Mint State – MS	$0.29-$912 (67)	$0.24-$122 (67)	$110-$980 (66)

Satin Finish Specimen Strike (SP) Value Chart

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	2005-P Satin Finish Specimen Bison Nickel	2005-D Satin Finish Specimen Bison Nickel
Satin SP 60	$1	$1
Satin SP 61	$2	$2
Satin SP 62	$2	$2
Satin SP 63	$2	$3
Satin SP 64	$3	$4
Satin SP 65	$5	$6
Satin SP 66	$8	$11
Satin SP 67	$11	$17
Satin SP 68	$17	$25
Satin SP 69	$35	$587
Satin SP 70	N/A	N/A

Ultra/Deep Cameo (UC/DCAM) Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

2005-S Ultra/Deep Cameo Proof Bison Nickel
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 UC/DCAM	$0.45
PR 61 UC/DCAM	$0.62
PR 62 UC/DCAM	$0.77
PR 63 UC/DCAM	$1
PR 64 UC/DCAM	$1
PR 65 UC/DCAM	$2
PR 66 UC/DCAM	$3
PR 67 UC/DCAM	$6
PR 68 UC/DCAM	$9
PR 69 UC/DCAM	$17
PR 70 UC/DCAM	$35

What Makes A 2005 Bison Nickel Valuable?

Several factors make this coin (also known as Jefferson nickels) valuable. These include their grading, strike type, and whether or not they’re error coins or die varieties, particularly the 2005-D speared bison nickel variety.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Higher coin grading does make Jefferson nickels more valuable. However, it’s only at the highest mint-state grades that you’ll start seeing significant value. 

Specimen strikes and proof strikes follow this pattern as well.

The good news is that you’ll likely find a 2005 Jefferson nickel for a reasonable price in a grade you want.

Rarity

The Mint minted 2005 bison nickels approximately 941,664,679 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 2005-P: 448,320,000 minted in Philadelphia^1,2
• 2005-D: 487,680,000 minted in Denver^3,4
• 2005-D Speared Bison: Part of Denver mintage^5,6
• 2005-P Specimen: 1,160,000 minted in Philadelphia^7,9
• 2005-D Specimen: 1,160,000 minted in Denver^8,10
• 2005-S Proof: 3,344,679 minted in San Francisco^11,12

While the higher mint-state grades are rarer and more valuable than the lower grades, the coin’s overall mintage does not contribute to its value.

Mint Marks

This coin has three mint marks.

A “P” indicates the Philadelphia Mint minted the coin.^1,2

A “D” indicates the Denver Mint minted the coin.^3,4

An “S” indicates the San Francisco Mint minted the coin.^11,12

The three are comparable in value in most cases. 

The “P” version pulls away in value at the higher mint-state grades for circulation-strike coins. The “D” version pulls away at the same grades for the specimen-strike coins and the speared bison die variety.

Interestingly, the “S” version is a proof coin but is less valuable than the specimen-strike coins. It’s still more valuable than the circulation-strike coins, except at the higher mint-state grades.

Strike Types

The coin has three strike types: circulation, specimen, and proof strikes.^13,14

Circulation strikes aren’t more valuable than the other two, except at the higher mint-state grades. 

Design Variations

This coin has no design variations. However, the 2005 nickel does have an ocean-view version. Some also call this version the “Western Waters” version.^14,15

See the “History” section for more information as to why these design variations exist. 

Special Designations

This coin has no versions with special designations (such as a full-steps Jefferson nickel). 

Error Coins 

Some error coins exist for this coin.¹⁶ These errors include but are not limited to the following:

• Clipped planchet errors (when part of the coin is clipped off)¹⁷
• Improperly annealed planchet (also called “sintered” or “copper wash,” and when one or both of the coin’s sides shows a color it shouldn’t)¹⁸

Errors generally significantly add value to this coin.

Die Varieties

The most popular and valuable 2005 bison nickel die variety is the 2005-D speared bison nickel. 

A large die gouge runs through the bison on the coin’s reverse side.¹⁹ In effect, it looks like a speared bison, thus the name.⁵ 

The 2005-D speared bison nickel significantly increases the value of a 2005 bison nickel.

Composition

The 2005 bison nickel is 75% copper and 25% nickel. As such, melting the coin down isn’t worth it, although the price of melted-down metals fluctuates with the market.

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 2005 Bison Nickel?

The best way to know if you have a valuable coin and to get that value out of it is to have it professionally certified.

However, you can look for many elements to get you started in determining what coin you have.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

You are likely to find higher-graded 2005 bison nickels when it comes to coin grading. When it comes to such coin grading, look for shinier surfaces, fewer imperfections, and an overall better-looking coin. These are good indications of a higher grade.

Mint Marks

Look on a 2005 bison nickel’s obverse side (the front) to determine what Mint made the coin.

Philadelphia minted the coin if you see a “P” below the word “Liberty.”

Denver minted the coin if you see a “D” there.

San Francisco minted the coin if you see an “S” there. The “S” also indicates the coin is a proof coin, as San Francisco only minted a proof version of the 2005 bison nickel.

Strike Types

Specimen-strike and proof-strike 2005 bison nickels have higher quality and detail than the circulation-strike version.

Additionally, the specimen strikes have a satin finish, which has a reflective quality between circulation and proof strikes. 

Proof strikes have an ultra/deep cameo effect, which is when the design elements have some frosting, and the field has a mirror-like polish.

Design Variations

2005 bison nickels have no design variations. However, it’s worth noting that 2005 Jefferson nickels also include an ocean-view version. This version does have a design that’s distinct from the 2005 bison nickels.

Special Designations

The coin has no versions with special designations.

Error Coins

Identifying if you have a 2005 bison nickel clipped planchet error coin is incredibly easy. The coin will be clipped off in some way, sometimes multiple times. 

Improperly annealed planchet errors are also easy to identify. Nickels have a silvery color, but improperly annealed planchet nickels will have a coppery or silvery-coppery color mix. 

Generally, it’s likely an error if you see something out of the ordinary with your coin.

Die Varieties

To determine if you have a 2005-D speared bison nickel, look on the coin’s reverse side.^19,21 There, you should see a die gouge running through the bison’s body.

Die gouges occur when something, such as a tool, puts a gouge in the die. As the die continues striking coins, this gouge shows up as a raised piece of metal.

Die gouges look similar to die breaks or cracks. 

However, die breaks or cracks occur as dies naturally break down. Additionally, die gouges stay the same size throughout the life of the die. Die cracks are thinner and longer as well.

Regardless, if you see a raised line running through the bison’s body on the coin’s reverse side, contact a professional so they can certify your coin.

Additional Information About The 2005 Bison Nickel

History

2005 bison nickels were part of the Westward Journey Jefferson nickel series of coins. This series, spanning from 2004 to 2005, included the 2004 Louisiana Purchase/Peace Medal version, the 2004 Keelboat version, the 2005 Bison version, and the 2005 Ocean-View version.

The Mint made all four nickels to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition.

President Thomas Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase and commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the new land. 

In recognition of his part in those two major parts of United States history, the Mint created a new design of Jefferson’s likeness for the 2005 nickels. 

^{Sources: 15,22-23}

The Coin’s Obverse Side

The coin’s obverse side depicts President Thomas Jefferson’s profile looking to the right. His profile fills the entire left side of the obverse.

“In God We Trust” curves from his forehead down along the coin’s rim. The word “Liberty” goes from his chin to the rim, and it’s written in cursive. 

The year curves along the rim beneath the word “Liberty.”

The mint mark is below the word “Liberty.” A “P” indicates the Philadelphia Mint made the coin, a “D” indicates the Denver Mint made the coin, and an “S” indicates the San Francisco Mint made the coin.

The “S” only shows up on 2005 proof bison nickels, while the “P” and “D” show up on the circulation-strike and specimen-strike versions.

The initials of Joe Fitzgerald, the designer of the obverse side, appear on Jefferson’s neck. The initials of Don Everhart, the sculptor of the obverse side, appear at the bottom by the rim.

^{Sources: 1-4,11-12}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

An American bison (also called a buffalo) fills the majority of the 2005 bison nickel’s reverse side.

The words “United States of America” curve around the top and sides of the buffalo, following the rim. 

The words “E Pluribus Unum” appear below the buffalo. They mean “Out of many, one,” and they are the motto of the United States Of America. 

The words “Five Cents” curve along the bottom of the coin by the rim.

The initials of the reverse side’s designer, Jamie Franki, appear on the left side of the ground the buffalo is standing on. The initials of the reverse side’s sculptor, Norman E. Nemeth, appear on the right side of the ground.

^{Sources: 1-2}

Why Is There An American Bison (Buffalo) On The Reverse Side? 

2005 bison nickels feature a bison on the coins’ reverse side. This is to honor, among other things, the fact that Lewis and Clark’s journal mentions buffalo.²³

Sources

2005 Bison Nickel Value Guide Sources