Julian Cheng is a historical researcher with a profound background in American art and numismatics. As a child, Julian’s family took a road trip across the United States, unintentionally collecting coins from each state they visited. That journey made him fall in love with coin collecting, i.e., a hobby that would soon grow into a full-scale profession.
As a dedicated expert, he wishes to make the numismatic industry a bit less monopolistic and oldfangled, finding new collectibles in spare change. To do so, Julian gained his Master’s degree in Museum Studies from NYU, where he specialized in the cultural value of modern American coinage. As of now, he successfully works as a museum consultant, writes for collectibles publications, and personally runs a newsletter about small-scale investments.
Discover the intricacies of the 2005 Buffalo nickel value, meticulously researched by Julian Cheng.
American nickels have a long history that starts in 1866, when there was introduced the Shield Nickel as the national coin to be made primarily of a copper-nickel alloy. However, the gap between the first issue and the one we are to focus on today is tremendous.
After the Shield Nickel, the US Mint released a few other designs that managed to become iconic. These include the Liberty Head “V” 5C coin minted from 1883 to 1912, the most outstanding Buffalo Nickel released in 1913, and the final Jefferson nickel design, which replaced the previous iteration in 1938. The latter, though, is a long-running series that endured for nearly seven decades with no global modifications at all.
| Shield Nickel | Obverse: A Union shield Reverse: A large numeral “5? surrounded by 13 stars and rays (removed in later versions) |
| Liberty Head ‘V’ Nickel | Obverse: Classical portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with “LIBERTY”Reverse: Roman numeral “V” (for 5 cents) surrounded by a laurel wreath |
| Buffalo Nickel | Obverse: Profile of a Native American man, a composite portrait of several tribal chiefsReverse: An American bison (i.e., buffalo) standing on a mound (Type I) or a plain ground (Type II) |
| Jefferson Nickel | Obverse: Portrait of Thomas Jefferson facing left, designed by Felix SchlagReverse: Depiction of Jefferson’s estate, Monticello. |
However, the issue released in 2005 was completely different from those of traditional origins. The latest original series, which featured the Jefferson Nickel’s design, has been minted since 1938, but it was not considered the sacrosanct choice for the special reissue planned for 2004-2005. In turn, they decided they categorize it as Type 3 under the same Jefferson’s series, though.
Instead, rather than continuing the conventional design patterns, the US Mint launched a new Westward Journey Nickel Series. And the background was quite symbolic. The initiative aimed to commemorate the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition*, i.e., a US government-funded journey that took place in 1804-1806 to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, establish trade with Native American tribes, and find a water route to the Pacific Ocean.
This is the path the 2005 Jefferson Buffalo nickel took to be born.
The 2005 nickel with a Buffalo on the back has a distinctive appearance, which is easily inferred from its own name. Since it was Thomas Jefferson who initiated the Louisiana Purchase, and Buffalo has long represented the force of the West, it was not inconspicuous to define which depictions should be put on the coin. It was a matter of perspective.
Obverse: The obverse features a right-facing profile of President Thomas Jefferson, designed by artist Joe Fitzgerald and half-positioned at the left side with the cursive rendering of the word “Liberty,” which replicates Jefferson’s own handwriting, to the right of the portrait. Apart from that, one may notice the national motto “In God We Trust,” the mint mark, and the year.
Reverse: The reverse showcases a bold image of an American bison, also commonly referred to as a buffalo, standing on the ground, along with the inscriptions “United States of America,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and the denomination “Five Cents” beneath. It is definitely a nod to the beloved design pattern of the early 20th century, though it is not a direct replica.
| The Main Characteristics | |
| Designer | Joe Fitzgerald (obverse), Jamie Franki (reverse) |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Weight | 5.00 grams |
| Diameter | 21.21 mm (0.835 inches) |
| Thickness | 1.95 mm |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint Marks | “P” for Philadelphia “D” for Denver“S” for San Francisco (only proofs) |
| Mintage Type | Circulation, Proof, Satin Finish (special strike) |
| Series | Westward Journey Nickel Series |
By the way, in 2005, there was also released the 2005 Western Waters nickel which featured the same obverse and a view of the Pacific Ocean with the inscription “Ocean in view! O! The joy!” on the reverse side.
Produced by: Philadelphia Mint
Mintage: 448,320,000
Auction Record: $1,225
The 2005 Buffalo nickel P version was commonly found in circulation but was often plagued by quality issues, as numismatists state. Weak strikes, large nicks, and severe surface scratches were typical, which is why high-grade examples are relatively rare or have already been kept in private collections.
Produced by: Denver Mint
Mintage: 487,680,000
Auction Record: $750
The 2005 Buffalo nickel D version, on its part, can be scarce, especially when in Mint State 65 condition, which happens to originate from unopened official mint rolls. These tend to display sharper details than their Philadelphia counterparts anyway (which is why the 2005 D Buffalo nickel value may not be as impressive).
Produced by: San Francisco Mint
Mintage: 3,344,679
Auction Record: $546
The San Francisco-born issue, as a rule, features sharp contrast and mirror-like surfaces. This is the case. Though it is common in proof sets, high-grade certified examples are interesting options anyway.
Produced by: Philadelphia Mint
Mintage: 1,160,000
Auction Record: $184
The Buffalo nickel 2005 P version with satin finish was released as part of a special mint set, and it is relatively easy to find in high grades (up to SP69). However, perfect SP70 examples are exceptionally rare and can command significantly higher prices, as per Jaime Hernandez from PCGS.
Produced by: Denver Mint
Mintage: 1,160,000
Auction Record: $588
The Denver-struck satin finish nickel was only issued in special mint sets, though they can be found at auctions as separate items, too. Nevertheless, no one may deny its superior strike quality and smooth surfaces which make it an exceptional investment tool among other issues.
Although the 5-cent coin released in 2005 may boast a massive mintage, it cannot flee from minting errors. By now, collectors have identified numerous errors, but not all unusual features should be considered true flaws. Many are simply the result of post-mint damage or heavy wear, and these do not increase the value of 2005 Buffalo nickel.
For those lucky enough to spot the real thing, here are a few 2005 D Buffalo nickel errors that are worth collecting.
Auction Record: $2,650
The speared 2005 Buffalo nickel is probably the most famous and desirable error from this series. As such, it features a severe die gouge that cuts through the body of the buffalo (which resembles a spear). According to Jaime Hernandez, a relatively small number of these coins were discovered, all of which came from Denver-minted rolls, with most known examples existing in lower mint state grades.
Auction Record: $1,000
Is a 2005 Buffalo nickel worth anything? When it comes to errors, it is, indeed. This variety refers to a misaligned clad layer or delamination, which results in a circular distortion of the metal ring around part of the coin. What is unique is that these types of issues are rarely seen in nickels, which is why they are highly collectible, thanks to their peculiar appearance and origin.
Auction Record: $350
Most collectors call this deviation an annealing error or the “sintered planchet”, which appears with a darkened, almost dirty-looking surface caused by an improperly heat-treated blank. Although it is not as popular as the previous one, it is still an intriguing find, commanding premiums.
Auction Record: $150
This unusual error has drawn attention due to what appears to be an extra leg beneath the buffalo, likely the result of a struck-through debris event or an incomplete planchet over die strike. In fact, rarely do people stumble upon such an anomaly, though it may be intriguing, thanks to its rarity (with few known examples on the market and eye-catching appearance).
Auction Record: $40
Here is the last error that should be taken into consideration when one looks for valuable coins. This subtle deviation shows the buffalo’s leg appearing fully detached from the main design, typically caused by a die crack or damage that interrupts the strike. Unlike more dramatic anomalies, this variety is relatively modest but still captivating to observe. Even small imperfections matter.
The Buffalo nickel value 2005 is a composite figure that do fluctuate. It varies based on condition, strike type, and mint origin. Yes, auction records may suggest sky-high values, yet it is vital to understand that these prices are often influenced by bidding wars, collector sentiment, or the uniqueness of a specific coin (not its type, though). Consequently, they are not always representative of what most coins are worth.
For a more accurate evaluation, collectors usually refer to grading-based price ranges published by numismatic agencies like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company). These generally reflect the real Buffalo nickel 2005 worth, based on sales data and overall experience.
Below is the table of relevant price ranges of what you may pay or be paid. What is a 2005 Buffalo nickel worth? Let us see.
| Coin Type | Circulated | Mint State | Gem | Premium Grade |
| 2005 P | $1 | $1 – $5 | $5 – $20 | $40+ |
| 2005 D | $1 | $1 – $6 | $6 – $25 | $50+ |
| 2005 S Proof | N/A | N/A | $3 – $10 | $20+ |
| 2005 P Satin Finish | N/A | $4 – $12 | $15 – $40 | $75+ |
| 2005 D Satin Finish | N/A | $4 – $15 | $20 – $50 | $80+ |
*The 2005 P Buffalo nickel value is usually lower than that of its Denver counterpart, primarily due to its higher mintage and slightly weaker overall strike quality.
One more time: today, we have covered a commemorative issue that serves as a cultural reflection and commemoration of the American West. Most of these coins are easy to find in circulation or bulk rolls (sold by the US Mint itself), but Mint State grades or minting errors, which are verified by the grading organizations, may be worth thousands of dollars. As time goes on, top-condition examples will only become more desirable.
To learn more about such numismatic creations, you can easily refer to Coin ID Scanner, my personal recommendation. It is a free tool for coin identification and analysis right on the spot. Detect errors, learn more about its origins, and get instant valuations with Coin ID Scanner installed on your phone.
Modern minting is not as poor as one may imagine. In turn, it is full of innovations, peculiar designs, and historical events captured in metal. While most examples remain easily accessible and modestly priced, their time is yet to come. Not every coin has been made valuable in an instant. Yes, even recent coins can have rich stories to tell, and with this iconic 2005 issue, we may prove this point.
