2005 (P) Jefferson Nickel - Ocean in View - Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-059

Description

Cataloged as 2005 WDDR-059, this Jefferson Nickel Bison reverse from the Westward Journey series presents a doubled die reverse variety whose documentation is notably limited because the discovery specimen was a circulation find with all would-be die markers worn off from extensive use in commerce. This circumstance — where the variety is confirmed through the doubling itself but the supporting die markers have been obliterated by wear — represents one of the challenges in attributing varieties from circulated specimens, as the fine die gouges, scratches, and chips that normally fingerprint a specific working die are among the first features lost to the abrasive effects of circulation. No cross-references to other cataloging systems are currently established, listed as "Unknown," reflecting the difficulty of cross-referencing a variety when the supporting diagnostic details are incomplete. The 2005 Jefferson Nickel Bison reverse is part of the Westward Journey Nickel Series (2004-2005), a two-year commemorative program featuring designs celebrating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Bison reverse, designed by Jamie Franki, depicts an American bison — a central figure in the story of the American West and the expedition's encounters with the vast herds of the Great Plains. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in standard copper-nickel composition (75% copper, 25% nickel) weighing 5.00 grams with a 21.21 mm diameter, the 2005-P Bison nickel was produced in significant quantities. The Westward Journey designs temporarily replaced Felix Schlag's Monticello reverse, and doubled die varieties from this two-year program are collected as a specialized subset within the broader Jefferson Nickel variety spectrum. Future discoveries of uncirculated specimens may eventually provide the die marker documentation currently absent from this catalog entry.

Die Markers

• Obverse: None noted.
• Reverse: None noted.  Specimen was a circulation find; all would-be markers were worn off.

Cross References

• Unknown

External References