2005 Buffalo Nickel Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?

2005 Buffalo Nickel Value

The Westward Journey nickel series was a program that included commemorative coins minted in 2004 and 2005. The goal was to honor the 200th anniversary of the first expedition after the Louisiana Purchase (1804 to 1806) with two Jefferson nickel types made with two different reverse designs.

Both variations, the one with Ocean in view and the other with American bison (buffalo), were made after Jamie Franki’s idea. These coins also have a different obverse designed by Joe Fitzgerald, including Thomas Jefferson’s image and the stylized word Liberty. The 2005 Buffalo nickel value depends on the coin preservation level and possible errors.

2005 nickel value chart

Condition 2005 P Bison 2005 D Bison 2005 S Bison
Mint state 60 $0.39 $0.39 /
Mint state 65 $1.43 $1.43 /
Proof 65 / / $10

 

2005 Nickel Value Guides

Three mints produced 939,344,679 commemorative Buffalo nickels in 2005. Those in Philadelphia and Denver minted almost the same amount of regular coins, while the San Francisco mint struck only 3,344,679 proof coins.

Thanks to the high mintage, these nickels are abundant on the current coin market, and you should typically pay only their face value. However, some well-preserved and valuable pieces and sought-after errors can reach high prices at auctions.

2005 P nickel value

2005 P Buffalo nickel

The Philadelphia mint struck both Westward Journey Series’ versions. They produced 448,320,000 Jefferson nickels with the American bison on the reverse. Depending on the grade, these coins with the P mint mark typically cost approximately $0.40 to $1.50.

2005 Buffalo nickel value

Condition

2005 P Bison

2005 D Bison

Extra fine $0.05 $0.05
AU $0.05 $0.05
MS 60 $0.08 $0.08
MS 61 $0.08 $0.08
MS 62 $0.08 $0.08
MS 63 $0.25 $0.25
MS 64 $0.75 $0.75
MS 65 $5 $5
MS 66 $30 $35
MS 67 $1,000 /

Beautiful coins with a high rating are worth about $1,000. For instance, one 2005 P MS 67 Bison from the regular strike was sold for $998.75 at Heritage Auctions in 2016.

The Philadelphia mint also produced these coins with the special strike, and most are worth $0.05 to $6. One collector paid $184 for the 2005 P SP 69 Bison with a satin finish at Heritage Auctions in 2008.

2005 special strike Buffalo nickel value

Condition

2005 P Bison satin

2005 D Bison satin

Extra fine $0.05 $0.05
AU $0.05 $0.05
MS 60 $0.50 $0.50
MS 61 $0.75 $0.75
MS 62 $1 $1
MS 63 $1.25 $1.25
MS 64 $3 $3
MS 65 $4 $5
MS 66 $5 $8
MS 67 $6 $20

 

2005 D nickel value

2005 D Buffalo nickelThe Denver minted 487,680,000 Jefferson nickels with an American bison on the reverse. Most pieces are worth $0.05 to $1, but some high-quality specimens cost about $35.

The auction record won the 2005 D MS 67 Buffalo nickel when one collector paid $750 for it in 2014 at Stack’s Bowers auction. On the other hand, one 2005 D MS 66 Speared Bison was paid $2,650 on eBay in 2021.

The Denver mint also struck 1,160,000 special strike Bison coins, and you can purchase them for approximately $0.05 to $20, depending on the preservation level. The most expensive 2005 D SP69 Buffalo nickel with satin finish reached $588 at Heritage Auctions in 2016.

2005 S proof nickel value

2005 S proof Buffalo nickel

The San Francisco mint only produced Jefferson nickel proofs within the Westward Journey series in 2005. All contained an American bison on the reverse. 

2005 Proof Buffalo nickel value

Condition

2005 S Bison DCAM

PR 60 $0.25
PR 61 $0.30
PR 62 $0.35
PR 63 $0.40
PR 64 $0.40
PR 65 $1
PR 66 $2
PR 67 $4
PR 68 $6
PR 69 $10
PR 70 $16

Most of the 3,344,679 minted coins are worth about $0.25 to $15, depending on quality, but some pieces are more pricey. For instance, one collector bought the 2005 S PR 70 DCAM Buffalo nickel at David Lawrence RC auction in 2005 for $546.

Related Posts: 17 Most Valuable Nickel Errors

2005 Buffalo Nickel Errors

Besides some errors that regularly appear during the minting process, 2005 Buffalo nickel has a few specific and certified ones. The list includes the most appreciated, so-called Reverse Die Gouge mint errors typical only for this coin.

Die Gouge (Speared Bison) error

Die Gouge errors appear when a foreign item from the dies penetrates through the coin. It gets stuck there and creates weird shapes on the coin surface. In the case of the 2005 Buffalo nickels struck in the Denver mint, this imperfection is known as a Speared buffalo (bison) error.

2005 Buffalo nickel error value

Condition

2005 D Speared bison

Extra fine $30 to $35
AU $40 to $60
MS 60 $75
MS 61 $85
MS 62 $95
MS 63 $125
MS 64 $200
MS 65 $250
MS 66 $700
MS 67 /

Be aware that these errors are not visually identical because this object can affect different coin parts, but their characteristics are the same. Such a nickel has a spear (long line) that looks like it enters and exits the bison’s body.

These imperfections are relatively rare, and those coins’ value is in each error’s uniqueness. Depending on the preservation level, they typically cost $30 to $700, but some rarities can be worth thousands of dollars.

The current auction record for one 2005 D MS 66 Buffalo nickel (speared bison error) is $2,650. One collector set aside that money in 2021 when he bought this lovely coin on eBay.

Improperly Annealed error

Improperly Annealed error
Image Credit: ebay

No one precisely knows why this error type occurs, but it is probably a result of the too long struck planchets. The other option is that the planchet was raised under high temperatures.

It forced copper from the core to come up to the coin surface and appear over the nickel coat. Even though this error is pretty standard for 2005 Buffalo nickels, you should pay about $100 for one.

Clipped Planchet error

Clipped Planchet error

This error occurs when the mechanism that cuts planchets from the copper-nickel sheets restrikes them. In this case, the mechanism doesn’t fully eject the planchet, resulting in a small crescent moon cut from the coin.

Copper Wash error

Copper Wash error

This error type is similar to the Improperly Annealed one but more dramatic. In this case, copper comes up to the coin surface, and the entire planchet gets a thin (wash) copper layer.

Related Posts: 19 Most Valuable Nickel Worth Money

History of the 2005 Buffalo Nickel

The 2005 Jefferson nickel is unique in many ways. It includes the new President’s image on the obverse and the two reverse variations, including:

  • The one representing the return of a beloved American Buffalo nickel
  • The one showing an Ocean in View symbolizes the famous expedition across Louisiana from 1804 to 1805

That was the first time the US Mint made any change to the President’s profile. The idea was to honor the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition that way.

2005 Buffalo nickel

Location Year Minted
Philadelphia 2005 P Bison 448,320,000
Denver 2005 D Bison 487,680,000
San Francisco 2005 S Bison 3,344,679
Total / 939,344,679

The commission had the difficult task of selecting the three unique images for this coin type among the 144 designs proposed. However, this design lasted only that particular year, and the Monticello took its place on the nickel’s reverse again the following year.

Artist Joe Fitzgerald designed Jefferson’s image and the impressively handwritten word LIBERTY on the obverse. He also created the inscription OCEAN IN VIEW! O! THE JOY! for the second coin’s reverse variety.

He took these words from William Clark’s journal, where he described his reaction to the Pacific Ocean coast after a long journey from St. Louis.

Artist Jamie Franki came up with the GRAZING BUFFALO reverse design, symbolizing American Indians and wildlife Lewis and Clark met during their expedition.

The US Mint sculptors and engravers Donna Weaver, Don Everhart, and Norman Nemeth got the honor to create these beautiful coins. Even though the 2005 Buffalo nickel lasted only one year, it is still one of the most collectible modern American coins.

Related Posts: 20 Most Valuable Buffalo Nickels Worth Money

how to identify 2005 Nickel?

As you probably know, the US Mint produced five-cent with an Indian on the obverse and American buffalo on the reverse from 1913 to 1938.

The new nickel with Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and his home Monticello on the reverse appeared in 1939 and stayed unchanged by 2005. That year, two talented designers, Jamie Franki and Joe Fitzgerald, created a new temporary coin with Jefferson’s image on the obverse and the American buffalo on the reverse.

The obverse of the 2005 Buffalo nickel

The obverse of the 2005 Buffalo nickel

The 2005 Buffalo nickel has a magnified Jefferson’s image facing right. Joe Fitzgerald wanted to show him from a different perspective and did an excellent job with this coin.

The inscription IN GOD WE TRUST and the date 2005 were struck along the right coin rim. Curiosity about this piece is the word LIBERTY written based on the President’s handwriting. The used cursive calligraphy style is a rarity in American coinage.

The reverse of the 2005 Buffalo nickel

The reverse of the 2005 Buffalo nickel

Once Jamie Franki got this demanding job, he created the reverse with an American bison based on an old, highly popular Buffalo nickel struck in the US Mint by 1938. This way, the new design combined the beauty of two of America’s favorite coins.

You can see the buffalo in the coin center with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination FIVE CENTS along the rim. They almost enclose the animal in a circle.

Unlike the old version, this bison faces right, while the indispensable Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is moved from the top and placed under the buffalo feet.

2005 Buffalo nickel

Face value 5 cents ($0.05)
Compound 25% nickel balanced by 75% copper
Coin thickness 0.07677 inches (1.95 mm)
Coin diameter 0.83504 inches (21.21 mm)
Coin weight 0.17637 ounces (5 g)
Edge Plain
Shape Round

Other features of the 2005 Buffalo nickel

The 2005 Buffalo nickel is a round 5-cent coin with a plain edge made of 25% nickel balanced by 75% copper. Its weight is 0.17637 ounces (5 g), and its thickness is 0.07677 inches (1.95 mm). The coin diameter is precisely 0.83504 inches (21.21 mm).

What makes a 2005 Buffalo nickel rare?

This coin type from the Westward Journey series is a commemorative piece with a new obverse design, but its reverse is particularly interesting. It was the first time of seeing the buffalo between the American coinage after 1938 when Buffalo nickels were abolished.

They are collectible pieces, but collectors appreciate Speared Bison error coins the most. These nickels have a small line that goes through the buffalo body midsection, making this error well-known as a speared bison.

Which 2005 Buffalo nickel is worth a lot of money?

  • 2005 D MS 66 Speared Bison (regular strike) Buffalo nickel that was sold for $2,650 on eBay in 2021
  • 2005 P MS 67 Buffalo nickel that was sold for $999 at Heritage Auctions in 2016
  • 2005 D MS 67 Buffalo nickel that was sold for $750 at Stack’s Bowers auction in 2014
  • 2005 D SP 69 Satin Finish (special strike) Buffalo nickel that was sold for $588 at Heritage Auctions in 2016
  • 2005 S PR 70 DCAM proof Buffalo nickel that was sold for $546 at David Lawrence RC auction in 2005
  • 2005 P SP 69 Satin Finish (special strike) Buffalo nickel that was sold for $184 at Heritage Auctions in 2008

How much is the 2005 P Buffalo nickel worth?

Most Buffalo nickels produced in the Philadelphia mint are worth about $0.40 to $1.50, depending on the preservation levels. However, some coins in the high grade cost about $1,000.

What is the rarest 2005 Buffalo nickel?

The 2005 D Speared Bison is a rare error, particularly those in the MS 67 grade. Experts estimate that such pieces should cost $5,000, but the current auction record for the 2005 D MS 66 Speared bison coin error is $2,650.

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *