2005-D 5C Bison Jefferson Five Cents Coin

Historical Background

During the early Spring of 2005, the United States Mint released a one-time-only magnificent coin to honor the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804 to 1806). The 2005 Buffalo Nickel marked the first commemorative Nickel series since the classic Buffalo Nickel series in 1913-1938. The 2005 American Bison Nickels production was a part of the Westward Journey nickel series program.

Here is how it started: ideas from designers Jamie Franki and Joe Fitzgerald led to the development of a coin featuring an American Bison (Buffalo) on the reverse. The obverse incorporated a new age-appropriate portrait of Thomas Jefferson and the stylized word Liberty. The word Liberty appearing on the obverse is in Jefferson’s handwriting. The Buffalo on the coin symbolizes the American West explored for the first time and the Wildlife encountered during the historical journey from St. Louis to Oregon’s Pacific Ocean Coast.

The mintage of the 2005 Buffalo Nickels took place for a few months in 2005 and then stopped forever. Since no more such coins will ever be minted, their future value can increase immensely.

Most of the 2005 Buffalo Nickels released into circulation lost their pristine and premium collector value. However, some original rolls of the 2005 Buffalo Nickels are still in Mint Uncirculated condition.

The United States mint calls the 2005 Buffalo Nickel the American Bison Nickel. The coin is a part of the Westward Journey Nickel series, a program that produced commemorative coins in 2004 and 2005. The 2005 Buffalo nickel has the following inscriptions;

Obverse inscriptions

• IN GOD WE TRUST
• LIBERTY
• 2005

Reverse Inscriptions

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• E PLURIBUS UNUM
• FIVE CENTS

Overview of the 2005 Buffalo Nickel

• Year: 2005
• Coin: Westward Journey
• Designer: Joe Fitzgerald/ Jamie Franki
• Weight: 5.00 grams
• Diameter: 21.20 millimeters
• Edge: Plain
• Metal composition: 75% Copper and 25% Nickel
• Price: 5 cents – 5.00+ USD
• Face value: 0.05 USD