The Gold Nickel 2005 is a gold-plated nickel-containing close-up portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse. The reverse design on the nickel signifies the culmination of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition.
Made of 75% copper and 25% nickel (aka, cupronickel), the nickel is a coin valued at 5 cents. The nickel was first introduced in 1866, and it continues to be in existence to date. The nickel has a thickness of 1.95 mm or 0.077 inches and a diameter of 21.21 mm or 0.835 inches. It costs 9 cents to mint a nickel.
The nickel went through multiple design iterations over the years. In 2004 and 2005, new nickel designs were introduced as Westward Journey Commemoratives.
In 2004, two new nickel designs were minted on the reverse with the obverse depicting Jefferson in profile. The first iteration of the 2004 nickel has a rendition of the Indian Peace Medal that was commissioned for the expedition of Lewis and Clark on the reverse.
The second design iteration of the 2004 nickel has a rendition of a keelboat on the reverse. It depicts the side view of the boat with full sail. The boat was used for transporting the members of the expedition along with supplies via Louisiana Territory rivers to find a northwestern route to the Pacific Ocean.
What is interesting is that the obverse has the legend “LIBERTY” that is traced directly from the handwriting of Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence’s draft. Since the draft did not have the letter L in capital form, the capital L was taken from other writings of Jefferson.
The year 2005 saw two other designs on the reverse while the obverse retained the same design. The first half of 2005 saw the depiction of an American bison. It was the recall of the original Buffalo nickel of 1913. The second half of 2005 gave the depiction of a coastline. The design also has the words “Ocean in view! O! The Joy!”
The words are taken from William Clark’s journal entry. He was the Expedition’s co-leader. What is interesting is that Clark actually wrote the spelling of ocean as “ocian.” The spelling was, however, modernized by the Mint.
The obverse portrait of Jefferson on the 2004 and 2005 nickels was his first new portrait after the Jefferson Nickel series came into existence in 1938.
The Gold Nickel 2005 is not minted by the United States Mint. It is just someone gold plating the 2005 nickel to make it a novelty piece with some value.
How Much is a Gold Nickel 2005 Worth?
Truth be told, not much! A gold nickel 2005 is just a simple nickel with gold molecules electroplated on them. The plating is usually nominal, making the plating worth less than the nickel’s value.
Remember that when a coin is plated with another material, the numismatic value of the coin is destroyed because the original state of the coin is altered. Coin collectors and numismatists do not give high value to such altered coins.
Thus, a gold nickel 2005 is really worth the nickel itself. However, there are many sellers who sell it for anywhere between $15 and $20.
How Much is a 2005 Gold Buffalo Nickel Worth?
Not much unless you are in possession of a 2005 D Speared Bison. That was a flaw in the minting process that created a thin line appearing to be spear piercing the bison right through the midsection.
Depending on the condition of the coin, it may sell for over $2,000 through marketplaces like eBay. However, the gold plating of the coin is barely going to make much difference. It is the design flaw that makes it valuable. These flawed coins are pretty rare, and finding one is not so easy.
What is the Error on the 2005 Gold Buffalo Nickel?
The “error” on the 2005 Gold Buffalo Nickel is the error in the minting process that created a thin line looking like a spear piercing through the midsection of the bison.
How Much is a 2005 Nickel Worth Today?
The value of a 2005-D Jefferson Nickel, according to USA Coin Book, has an estimated value of $0.39 (Uncirculated MS-60) and $1.43 (Uncirculated MS-65).
Do They Make 2005 Buffalo Nickels Now?
No, the 2005 Buffalo Nickels are no longer minted. They were minted only for a few months in 2005, and then the minting of those coins stopped forever. This ensures that they will become scarcer in the future and gain value over time.
How Much is a V-Nickel Worth?
The worth of a V-Nickel (irrespective of whether it is gold plated or not) depends on various factors. The 1885 V-Nickel continues to be one of the most sought-after nickels.
If you have one, it can fetch you at least $400 even if it has significant wear and tear. However, if the coin is in pristine condition, you can expect to grab nearly $2000 for it.
Similarly, a V-Nickel of 1886 in a fine condition can get you $200. In case you have a 1912-S V-Nickel, the coin can sell for $100.
Remember that gold plating a V-Nickel may reduce its value because its original state will be altered, thereby diminishing its numismatic value.
The three most valuable V-Nickels today are:
| Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 V-Nickel | $550 | $850 | $1,350 | $1,700 |
| 1912 V-Nickel (S) | $175 | $285 | $850 | $1,400 |
| 1886 V-Nickel | $275 | $425 | $700 | $825 |
Source: JMBullion.
How Many 3-Legged Buffalo Nickels are There?
Mintage figures are not available for the 3-legged buffalo nickels. However, according to numismatic experts, approximately 10,000 of the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickels survive today.
What’s the Rarest Nickel in the World?
The 1913 Liberty Nickel is the rarest nickel in this world. Only five of those coins remain today. In 2017, one of those coins was sold for approximately $5 million. There are rumors that there may be the sixth one in someone’s private collection.
Sources
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Nickel (United States coin). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_(United_States_coin)
- U.S. Mint. Westward Journey Nickel Series. https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/westward-journey-nickel-series
