Have a photo? Submit it and we'll credit you.

As an eBay Affiliate, Collector's Key may be compensated if you make a purchase through the link(s) above.

2005-P Bison

Nickels · Jefferson Nickels · 1938–Present
Regular
Weight5 g
Diameter21.21 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 394,080,000 Combined mintage for all 2005-P varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition75% Copper, 25% Nickel
DesignerJoe Fitzgerald / Jamie Franki
Collector's Key IDCK-1568

Collection

collectors own this
on want lists

Your collection

Sign in to track this coin.

About this coinHistory

The 2005-P Bison Jefferson nickel is the third design of the Westward Journey Nickel Series, showing an American bison on the reverse as a tribute to the Buffalo nickel that had preceded the Jefferson design from 1913-1938. The reverse design by Jamie Franki is distinct from James Earle Fraser's original Buffalo nickel design but clearly draws inspiration from it, creating an intentional visual echo of the earlier series.

The obverse for 2005 featured a new portrait of Jefferson by Joe Fitzgerald, based on an 1800 profile portrait by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. The new portrait shows Jefferson facing right (rather than the left-facing Schlag portrait) and includes more detailed facial features. The combination of the new obverse and the Bison reverse gave the 2005 nickel a dramatically different appearance from the traditional Schlag design.

Philadelphia struck 448,320,000 Bison nickels in 2005. The coin is abundant in all grades and readily available in Mint State. Collectors building complete Westward Journey sets acquire the 2005-P Bison as a key design of the program, particularly notable for its tribute to the earlier Buffalo nickel tradition.

The design change from Schlag to Fitzgerald portrait and the Bison reverse represented the most significant modification to the Jefferson nickel since its 1938 introduction. For collectors, 2005 marks an important transition year in the series.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G)
VG-8 Very Good (VG)
F-12 Fine (F)
VF-20 Very Fine (VF)
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF)
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU)
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $0.30 $0.30
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 2005-P Bison Jefferson Nickel worth?
In Uncirculated condition it runs about $0.30. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 2005-P Bison Jefferson Nickels were minted?
394,080,000 were struck (Combined mintage for all 2005-P varieties).
What is a 2005-P Bison Jefferson Nickel made of?
75% Copper, 25% Nickel, weighing 5 g.
What is the melt value of a 2005-P Bison Jefferson Nickel?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 2005-P Bison Jefferson Nickel a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.