What is the error that makes a 2005 nickel worth more than US$1,000?

Errors on a coin can cause its price to rise considerably and make collectors pay whatever it takes to obtain them.

The Westward Journey nickels were a commemorative series of coins honoring the 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clark’s first expedition after the Louisiana Purchase. (Photo: coinvaluechecker)

17/07/2024, 01:13 p.m.

People who collect coins and bills in the United States have become very meticulous human beings who do not miss a single detail when reviewing a specimen. They tend to look for very strange pieces that have not been mass-produced or that have certain characteristics that differentiate them from the rest. They are even very interested in those that have minting errors, since this makes them rare and picturesque, in addition to qualifying to be displayed in their private collection, as in this case.

A 5 cents coin from 2005 is the protagonist of this article because it complies with the above mentioned. While there are those who despise items of this type that have factory flaws, there is a world for those and best of all is that they pay thousands of dollars to buy them, as in this example, so do not look askance if you receive any numismatic piece with errors, because in reality you would be getting a small gold mine that would make you a good amount of money beyond the face value.

What is the 2005 5-cent coin worth more than US$1,000?

In a surprising twist for numismatic collectors, some 5-cent coins minted in 2005 could be worth more than US$1,000, all thanks to a peculiar manufacturing error. The U.S. Mint, as part of the Westward Journey Nickel series, released a commemorative edition that included the American Bison Nickel, a piece that is now capturing attention for unexpected reasons, although it is already a trend among those with the hobby.

Known colloquially as the ‘speared bison’, this coin features a glaring error in the reverse design, which clearly shows an American bison that appears to have a spear thrust through it. The flaw originated from an indentation in the minting die, an unusual phenomenon that has greatly raised the value of these pieces among collectors and numismatic enthusiasts.

The Westward Journey Nickel series was released to commemorate the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the famous Lewis and Clark expedition, paying homage to key moments in American history. Designed by Jamie Frank and Joe Fitzgerald, this limited edition with the American bison on the reverse and the bust of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse initially attracted attention for its historical value and visual appeal.

However, it is the minting error that has transformed some of these coins into true collector’s items. Although millions were minted at the Denver Mint in 2005, only a few exhibit this particular flaw, making them extraordinarily valuable on the auction market and among specialized collectors.

The interest generated by these coins underscores a surprising truth: not only can old and rare coins fetch high prices, but even relatively modern specimens can become highly valuable objects due to unique flaws and demand among collectors. Mind you, the error is only present on pieces that were minted at the Denver Mint, so you will find the “D” mintmark.