2005 The first year of split set collecting Satin Finish coins common at MS68 grades, circulation or Business Strike coins very rare at MS67 grade. Satin finish grading was changed from MS to SP at a later date. Edit to add that the hit on Jefferson's nose would probably limit the grade to MS64 on the OP's coin. This design feature the nose was and still is a key grading point on this coin type as it is a high point of the design. On the Satin Finish coin the graze on the forehead probably limited the grade to MS67 for the loss of eye appeal.
It ain't that bad, the NGC population in MS67 is 1267/264 with only 14 in MS69. Besides, it was cheap.
I didn't realize that you collected the satins, Paul. I cut open all of my 2005 Mint Sets when I got them, but there were so many 68/69/70 in all the denominations that I didn't bother submitting any. Chris
If it's your sons, why did you create the thread title/subject with... "My great Jefferson... ", that implies that it's yours, not your son's.
I really don't collect them, I need them for my registry set and they were really cheap so I bought them. Once my 1938-1964 registry set is complete, perhaps I will spend more time on the moderns 1965-present. For now, these SMS 67's will have to do.
Chris, there are almost no 70s. There are a handful of MS69s, but the 2005-D Bison Nickel is one of the hardest SMS coins for that year to find in 69. I have an SP69 PCGS 2005-P example in my collection as my type coin for the "Westward Journey" nickel series.
I'll have to pull mine out and start going through them. I know I have a lot of high grades because after checking them with a loupe, I doubled-checked all of them with my stereomicroscope. That was the primary reason I didn't bother continuing to order the Mint Sets for the succeeding years. I figured if that many were that good, then there was no point. Chris
the business strikes are very rare in in high grades, they are usually covered with many deep bagmarks. i am also looking for a ngc 2005-D Bison SMS 69