Westward Journey Series Appraisal

United States Jefferson Nickel (2005, Westward Journey Series)

The item is a silver-colored coin, likely made of a nickel-copper alloy given its appearance consistent with circulating coinage. It depicts a left-facing profile of a male figure, strongly resembling Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. The facial features, including the prominent nose and chin, are consistent with common depictions of Jefferson on US coinage. The inscription 'IN GOD WE TRUST' is visible along the upper right curve of the coin's obverse. Directly below the bust, the year '2005' is clearly discernible. A signature, possibly of the engraver or the figure depicted, is lightly visible to the right and slightly below the face, reading 'liberty'. The coin exhibits signs of moderate circulation, with some light wear visible on the high points of the relief, such as the hair and forehead of the figure. There are no obvious signs of significant damage, such as deep scratches, bends, or severe environmental deterioration, although the surface shows a slight dulling, indicative of handling and age. The craftsmanship appears to be standard for mass-produced currency. This particular design, featuring a left-facing Jefferson and the '2005' date, points to it being a United States Mint coin, specifically a Jefferson Nickel from the Westward Journey Series, which was issued in 2005 and featured a new obverse design. The image specifically shows the 'Return to Monticello' reverse for the 2005 Jefferson Nickel. The quality of the strike appears generally good for a circulating coin, with details mostly clear despite the minor wear. No visible mint mark can be discerned from the image, which would typically be located near the date or under the profile.