Rare 2005 Nickel Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are 2005 nickels worth anything? What’s special about 2005 nickels? Can you build a valuable set collecting 2005 nickels? You are probably asking all these questions if you are considering collecting 2005 nickels. Well, you’ve come to the right place as our 2005 nickel errors list will reveal everything you need to know about collecting Jefferson nickel errors.

Indeed 2005 Jefferson nickels are somewhat special. In 2004 and 2005, the United States Mint produced four different designs of the Jefferson nickel to commemorate the two hundredth year anniversary of the iconic Lewis and Clark Expedition and Louisiana Purchase.

The first 2005 nickel featured a new portrait of president Thomas Jefferson, a key figure in the commissioning of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Louisiana Purchase. The second one features wild animals on the reverse commemorating the wildlife the explorers encountered on their expedition. In subsequent years, the usual nickel design featuring Jefferson and Monticello on the obverse and reverse respectively was reintroduced.

Collecting 2005 nickels can be rewarding especially due to the coin’s historical and sentimental value. But an even more profitable way to build out your nickels set is to collect errors. Minting errors can be worth a fortune especially when coins are uncirculated.

If you know what to look for, you will be on your way to building a high-value nickels collection. Follow our 2005 nickel errors list for all the details on collecting nickels worth money.

1. 2005-D MS66 Jefferson Buffalo Nickel Double Die Error

One of the errors that come up in the 2005 nickel series is the doubled die. The doubled die is quite a common error and one of the easiest to add to your collection.

This error occurs when the die strikes the planchet multiple times at different angles, resulting in some overlapping or doubling on the devices and inscriptions.

Generally, the more intense the doubling, the more valuable the error tends to be. But, all in all, collectors are willing to pay good money for a doubled die error. For example, in 2023, a collector at a Heritage Auctions sale paid an impressive $995 for a 2005-D Jefferson nickel graded MS66 with a doubled die error on the obverse and reverse. This would definitely be a worthwhile addition to your collection.

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2. 2005-P MS65 American Bison Nickel Feeder Finger Planchet Reverse Error

Another error you might encounter is the feeder finger, which appears likes close, lateral lines on the coin’s surface. This error occurs when the die strikes the feeder fingers, which then leave their impression on the planchet.

Ordinarily, after positioning the planchet in the collar, the feeder fingers retract automatically, allowing the die to strike the planchet as usual. But, sometimes, the feeder fingers might be slow or completely fail to retract and are therefore struck between the die and planchet. This results in the lateral scratch mark-like lines on the coin’s surface known as feeder finger errors.

So, how much can you expect from a feeder finger error? Well, this depends on factors such as the coin’s condition and of course, the error’s intensity. A coin with highly visible feeder finger errors will generally be more valuable than one where the feeder finger scratches are only subtle.

In 2022, a collector on eBay paid $1010 for a 2005-P Nickel with a grade MS65 and a feeder finger planchet error, making this one of the most valuable errors to add to your nickels collection.

Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Nickels Worth Money

 

3. 2005-D MS65 Jefferson Buffalo Nickel Die Adjustment Error

The next error we’ll look at is the nickel die adjustment. During the coin striking process, mint workers regularly adjust the dies to ensure proper contact with the planchet.

Sometimes, the adjustment isn’t done properly so the die doesn’t apply enough pressure on the planet, resulting in a weak strike. You might notice that the obverse side of some coin presents a weak strike while the strike on the reverse is strong or just normal. This error is aptly known as a die adjustment error.

If you come across a coin, especially one that’s uncirculated and with a weak strike, it might be a die adjustment error.  Such an error can be worth good money depending on the coin’s condition.

A collector at a 2023 Great Collections sale paid $845 for a 2005-D Jefferson nickel graded MS65 with a die adjustment error on the reverse, making this an excellent error to add to your set.

Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Buffalo Nickel Worth Money

 

4. 2005-P MS64 Nickel Obverse Struck Thru Grease Error

An interesting error that shows up in the 2005 nickel series is the struck-through. This error occurs when an object is struck between the die and planchet, resulting in the object leaving its impression on the planchet.

Examples of common objects that may come between the die and planchet are drops of grease, pieces of cloth, strands of hair, strings, pieces of metal, dust and other debris.

Often the stray object usually falls away but sometimes, it may attach itself onto the planchet, resulting in a retained struck-through error.

In the case of a grease struck-through error, you will notice some spots on the coin with a weak strike. In uncirculated condition, such an error can be worth a premium. For example, in 2022, Heritage Auction sold a 2005-P nickel graded MS64 with an obverse struck-through grease error for $620.

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5. 2005-P MS63 Buffalo Jefferson Nickel Die Crack Error

As the name implies, a die crack is an error that appears like a crack or breakage on the coin’s surface. This error occurs when the die’s surface breaks, resulting in a crack that is gradually filled with small metal pieces as the die continues working.

Eventually, the metal-filled crack might leave an impression on one or more planchets, resulting in a die crack error. On the final coin, a die crack appears like a raised crack and may appear anywhere on the coin’s surface.

Generally, larger cracks or those with a peculiar appearance will usually fetch more than small, mundane ones. In 2023, the Great Collections auctioned a relatively large obverse die crack error on a 2005-P nickel graded MS63 for an impressive $880 making this an excellent addition to your collection.

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6. 2005-D MS62 Red Improperly Annealed Planchet Bison Nickel Error

Another interesting error you might discover when collecting 2005 nickels is the improperly annealed planchet. This error occurs when the planchet is exposed to excessive heating or cooling in the annealing chambers.

Annealing is the heating and cooling process planchets undergo in preparation for striking. When exposed to too much heat or cold, the planchet may change color. In the case of a nickel, an improperly annealed coin may acquire a reddish, orange, yellow, black, grey or even brown tone.

If you come across a coin with an odd color toning, it likely is as a result of an improperly annealed error. Unsurprisingly, collectors are willing to pay a premium for an improperly anneal planchet error. For example, in 2023, a collector paid $725 for a 2005-D nickel graded MS62 with a red improperly annealed planchet error.

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Also read: Top 17 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money

 

7. 2005-P MS60 Nickel Missing Clad Layer Error

The next error we will look at it is a missing clad layer. As the name suggests, this is an error in which the upper clad layer on the coin is missing due to a lamination issue.

The presence of impurities in the alloy can weaken the bond between the clad layers resulting in bubbling, cracking, and peeling. The weak lamination bonds make it easy for the upper clad layer to peel off, exposing the inner copper core.

How much is a missing clad layer error worth? Depending on the coin’s condition, this error can be quite valuable. In 2023, a collector on eBay paid $635 for a 2005-P nickel graded MS60 with a missing clad layer error on the obverse.

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8. 2005-P MS64 Double Clip Planchet Bison Nickel Error

Another error you might encounter when collecting 2005 nickels is the clipped planchet. This is one of the most dramatic and sought-after errors and would definitely be nice to include in your Jefferson nickels collection.

A clipped planchet has one or more portions of the edge missing. This happens when the blanking die that cuts planchets from the metal plate cuts into an empty circle on the metal plate while cutting the subsequent planchet. This results in the subsequent planchet having a clipped edge.

Look out for planchets with larger, more visible clips as these are more valuable than smaller clipped planchets. For example, in 2021, Heritage Auctions sold a 2005-P nickel graded MS64 with a double clipped planchet for a whopping $1250, making this one of the most valuable 2005 nickel errors.

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Also read: 14 Most Valuable Nickel Errors Worth Money

 

Summary

Despite the historical and sentimental value, 2005 Jefferson nickels are only worth their face value. But, if you want to build a high-value nickels collection, try collecting errors. As our 2005 nickel errors list shows, error coins can be worth a premium if you know what to look for. We recommend paying attention to uncirculated 2005 nickels with unique errors that are often worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars.