Five Cents · 2004–2005

Westward Journey Nickel

2004 kept the classic left-facing Jefferson portrait, while 2005 introduced a dramatic close-up of Jefferson with 'Liberty' in his own handwriting. Four one-year designs celebrating Lewis and Clark: the Peace Medal handshake and the keelboat (2004), then the American bison and the 'Ocean in view!' coastline (2005).

Designer

Felix Schlag and Joe Fitzgerald (obverses); Norman E. Nemeth, Al Maletsky, Jamie Franki, and Joe Fitzgerald (reverses)

Diameter

21.21 mm

Edge

Plain

Mint mark

Obverse (front), below the date

Composition

2004–2005: 75% copper, 25% nickel · 5 g

Did you know? These were the first new nickel designs in 66 years, issued for the Lewis and Clark bicentennial — and the 2005 bison brought the Buffalo nickel's animal back to pocket change after nearly 70 years.

Beginner tip: Billions were struck, so value comes from condition and errors — check any 2005-D bison for a raised line through the bison's back (the Speared Bison).

Key dates to look for

2004-S Westward Journey

$4–8 each

Proof versions of both 2004 designs came only in collector sets

2005-S Westward Journey

$4–8 each

Proof versions of both 2005 designs came only in collector sets

Valuable varieties & errors

2005-D Speared Bison

scarce

$25 – $450+

A deep gouge in a Denver die left a raised line running through the bison, so struck coins look like the animal has been speared. It became an instant media sensation and remains the most famous modern nickel variety.

How to check: On a 2005-D with the bison reverse, look for a bold raised line running from the bison's back down through its body to its belly. It should be raised above the surface like the rest of the design — a sunken line is just a scratch someone put on the coin, not the variety.

Error types found on this series

Doubled Die (Obverse)

The front design shows a second, shifted image because the die itself was made doubled.

Off-Center Strike

The blank wasn't centered when struck, so part of the design is missing and part of the coin is blank.

Grease-Filled Die (Struck Through Grease)

Grease and debris packed into the die's recesses blocked part of the design, leaving weak or missing details.

Machine Doubling

The die bounced or chattered at the moment of striking, smearing a flat shelf-like second edge onto the design.

Die Crack

A crack in the die fills with metal during the strike, leaving a thin raised line on the coin.

Die Break

A piece of the die face broke away mid-design, leaving a raised unstruck blob inside the coin's design.

Real photos where available (credits); others are illustrations.

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