Lot #494: Rare 2005 USA Five Cents - "Bison" Nickel - "Buffalo" Nickel - Thomas Jefferson - Handwritten Liberty

Obverse: Features a modern, right-facing cropped portrait of Thomas Jefferson. This design, by Joe Fitzgerald, was unique to the 2005 series and intended to provide a more intimate view of the third president. The word LIBERTY appears in Jefferson’s own handwriting, based on the original draft of the Declaration of Independence. Reverse: Features a powerful, standing American Bison (buffalo) facing right. The design by Jamie Franki was inspired by the animals Lewis and Clark encountered on the Great Plains. The full inscription reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / E PLURIBUS UNUM / FIVE CENTS. The 2005 "Bison" Nickel is a standout issue from the United States Mint’s Westward Journey Nickel Series. It is particularly popular among collectors because it marked the first time the buffalo returned to the American nickel since the original series ended in 1938. This was the third of four commemorative reverses released in the "Westward Journey series". It specifically honors the wildlife of the Louisiana Purchase territory. Unlike the original Buffalo Nickel (which ran for 25 years), the modern 2005 Bison Nickel, with unique "handwritten Liberty" obverse, was issued as a one-year-only special tribute. After 2005, the U.S. Mint moved to a permanent "Return to Monticello" design in 2006, which features a new forward-facing portrait of Jefferson but brought back the classic image of Monticello, his Virginia home, on the reverse. Dimensions: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel. 21.2 mm. 5.0 g. Pickup category timeslot {A}