2005-P Jefferson Bison Nickel BU

This 2005-P Jefferson Bison Nickel BU stands out as one of the most distinctive modern nickels issued by the United States Mint. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, it comes from the Westward Journey Nickel Series, a short but memorable redesign program that temporarily changed the familiar Jefferson nickel during 2004 and 2005. In Brilliant Uncirculated condition, it offers the crisp detail and cleaner overall appearance collectors enjoy in a nicer modern example. The 2005 Bison reverse is especially popular because it broke away from the long-used Monticello design and gave the series a bold, unmistakably American look. 

The Jefferson nickel first appeared in 1938, but the 2005 issues were part of a special redesign tied to the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Louisiana Purchase. For the 2005 nickels, the obverse portrait of Thomas Jefferson was updated for the first time in decades, while the reverse design changed to celebrate themes from the American West. The American Bison reverse, created by Jamie Franki, paired with an obverse by Joe Fitzgerald, became one of the most recognizable coins in the Westward Journey series. The U.S. Mint notes that the 2005 obverse was the first new likeness of Jefferson used on the nickel in 67 years. 

Collectors continue to enjoy the 2005 Bison nickel because it combines modern affordability with a one-year design type that feels very different from standard Jefferson issues. A Brilliant Uncirculated 2005-P example is especially appealing for collectors building a complete Jefferson nickel set, assembling the full Westward Journey group, or adding a sharp modern type coin to a broader U.S. collection. That last sentence is an inference based on the coin’s one-year reverse type, mint, and BU condition. 

Specifications & Mintage

Denomination: Five Cents

Series: Jefferson Nickel / Westward Journey Nickel Series

Designer: Joe Fitzgerald / Jamie Franki

Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel

Weight: 5.00 grams

Diameter: 21.20 mm

Edge: Plain

Mint: Philadelphia

Mintage: 448,320,000

Years of Issue: 1938–present

Reverse Type: American Bison Reverse 

Item Details

This listing includes one 2005-P Jefferson Bison Nickel in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. The coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint and features the American Bison reverse from the 2005 Westward Journey Nickel Series. Please review the photos carefully for the overall appearance and quality of the exact coin you will receive. 

Whether you are building a complete Jefferson nickel set, collecting the Westward Journey designs, or simply picking up a modern U.S. coin with a bold one-year reverse, this 2005-P Jefferson Bison Nickel BU makes a great addition.