2005 Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel: Die Gouge or Post-Mint Scratch?

The 2005 "Speared Bison" Jefferson Nickel

The 2005 "Speared Bison" is a die gouge variety on the American Bison reverse of the 2005 Jefferson nickel. A raised line extends through the body of the bison, giving the appearance that the animal has been pierced by a spear. It's one of the more dramatic modern die gouge varieties and carries a solid collector following.

What Is the Spear?

The "spear" is a die gouge — a raised line on the coin caused by a scratch or groove cut into the die surface. Because the die is the negative of the coin's design, a scratch recessed into the die creates a raised line on every coin struck from that die.

Key characteristics of the genuine Speared Bison:

• The line is raised — it sits above the coin's normal surface
• It passes through the body of the bison in a consistent position on every example
• The line has uniform width and relief throughout its length
• Multiple examples from the same die pair show the identical line in the identical position

Die Gouge vs. Post-Mint Scratch

This is the essential distinction. A post-mint scratch would be incused (cut into the surface), while the spear is raised (protruding above the surface). This is because the damage was in the die, not on the coin:

• Die gouge (genuine variety): The line is raised above the coin's surface. You can feel it with your fingernail moving across the coin.
• Post-mint scratch (no value): The line is cut into the coin's surface. You can feel it as a groove, not a ridge.

Normal 2005 Jefferson Reverse

For comparison, here is a normal 2005 American Bison reverse without the spear:

Value

The 2005 Speared Bison typically trades for $10-50 in circulated grades and $50-200+ in uncirculated condition, depending on the strength and clarity of the spear. It remains findable in circulation and in rolls, making it a realistic target for coin roll hunters.

Browse die gouge varieties in the NumisDex die gouge catalog.