The standard 2005-D Jefferson “American Bison” Nickel is a common coin with a mintage of over 487 million at the Denver Mint. Its face value is 5 cents, and in circulated condition, it’s typically worth just that, or maybe up to a dollar in pristine, uncirculated grades.
However, there is one major mint error from 2005-D that is an absolute rarity and a must-find for any coin collector: the “Speared Bison” nickel. This particular error is what drives the massive values hinted at in collector circles, with top examples selling for thousands of dollars!
The Rare Error: The 2005-D “Speared Bison” Nickel
The “Speared Bison” variety is the most famous and desirable error of the 2005 Westward Journey Nickel series.
What is the Error?
The “spear” is actually a die gouge—a deep scratch or mark that occurred on the working die at the Denver Mint. When the die struck the coin blanks, this gouge appeared as a raised line on the coin’s surface.
- Location: The line runs through the body of the American Bison, specifically across its back or lower side, giving the appearance of a spear piercing the animal.
- Rarity: Only a relatively small number of these coins were discovered, primarily in Denver-minted rolls.
- Value: This error drastically increases the coin’s value. In lower, circulated condition, the Speared Bison is worth around $5 to $10. However, the value skyrockets in uncirculated (Mint State or MS) condition:
- A certified MS-65 grade can be worth $470.
- A certified MS-66 grade has an auction record that exceeds $1,600, and high-end examples have sold for over $2,650. Some listings for certified high-grade specimens have been as high as $2,950.
Key Details to Look For
The 2005-D nickel is part of the “Westward Journey” series, minted to commemorate the Lewis and Clark expedition.
- Obverse (Front): Features a new profile of Thomas Jefferson facing right. The word “LIBERTY” is inscribed in a script meant to resemble his handwriting.
- Reverse (Back): Features a large, solitary American Bison (often mistakenly called a Buffalo Nickel, which was a different coin).
- Mint Mark: The small ‘D’ for the Denver Mint is located on the reverse, just below the phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM”.
Other Valuable 2005-D Error Nickels
While the Speared Bison is the most famous, other 2005-D nickel errors also command significant premiums from collectors:
- Circular Clad Layer Error: A misaligned or delaminated clad layer resulting in a circular metal distortion. Auction records for this error have reached $1,000.
- Annealing Error: Caused by improper heat treatment of the coin blank, giving the nickel a darkened, almost dirty-looking surface. These can sell for hundreds of dollars.
- Doubled Die / Repunched Mintmark (RPM): Although the 2005-P had a more notable doubled-die error, a Repunched Mintmark (D/D) error on the ‘D’ has been found and is sought after.
The most valuable 2005-D nickels are not the regular ones found in pocket change, but rather the rare “Speared Bison” error and other significant minting mistakes, especially if they are certified in high, uncirculated condition.
If you find a 2005-D nickel, closely examine the bison’s side for the tell-tale “spear” line. If you believe you have found one, do not clean it and consider having it authenticated by a professional grading service (like PCGS or NGC) to determine its true market value.
Find out more about valuable error coins in this video: “The Holy Grail Nickel Error – Is this Rare Error Coin in Your Pocket Change?”. This video discusses the 2005-D Speared Bison Nickel error, which is the specific rarity that makes the coin highly valuable.
