1958 Nickel Value Checker: Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth

The 1958 Jefferson Nickel is a coin that rewards patient collectors willing to look closely. Most circulated examples are worth just face value, but the right specimen — with the Full Steps (FS) designation, a deep cameo proof finish, or a documented mint error — can climb into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Regular strikes in MS66 grade command premiums around $4,150, while Full Steps versions above this grade are considered very rare. Standard circulated pieces typically hold minimal value beyond face value, but collectors willing to cherrypick carefully can discover specimens worth anywhere from $1 in AU condition to over $85 for MS-graded Full Steps varieties.

 

1958 Nickel Value By Variety

The 1958 Jefferson Nickel was produced at two mints with several special versions, each carrying different values based on their origin and characteristics. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Jefferson Nickels Worth Money List (1938-Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1958 Nickel Worth Money

Premium specimens in MS66 and above command thousands of dollars at auction. This steep price gradient reflects the difficulty of achieving full detail on Monticello’s steps — a result that required precise die alignment and optimal planchet quality, conditions rarely met during high-volume production.

The 1958 Jefferson nickel is a textbook example of conditional rarity. Though over 185 million pieces were struck between Philadelphia and Denver, survival rates in gem grades remain very low. Full Steps (FS) designations — meaning all five or six steps at the base of Monticello are cleanly defined — further restrict the elite tier, since these coins represent roughly 1% of the surviving Mint State population.

 

History of the 1958 Nickel

The Jefferson Nickel series launched in 1938 when designer Felix Schlag won a national competition among 390 artists, earning a $1,000 prize for his portrait of America’s third president paired with an image of Monticello on the reverse. The U.S. Mint required Schlag to modify his original design before final approval, but his vision endured for more than 65 years.

By 1958, the United States was riding the crest of post-World War II prosperity. Consumer spending was surging, suburban growth was reshaping the country, and Americans were experiencing a confidence that showed up in everything from automobile sales to coin collecting participation. The 1958 nickel marked the 20th anniversary of the Jefferson series.

During World War II (1942–1945), the nickel’s composition was temporarily changed to conserve strategic metals. Those “War Nickels” used a 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese alloy. By 1958, the standard composition — 75% copper and 25% nickel — had long been restored.

The author Q. David Bowers, one of numismatics’ most respected historians, described the quality range of 1958 Jefferson Nickel survivors as “fire and ice”: some examples are stunning in every respect, while others are genuinely poorly struck, with weak Monticello steps and flat design details right out of the mint. That wide quality gap is exactly why cherrypicking pays off with this date.

Also Read: Top 60+ Most Valuable Buffalo Nickels Worth Money

 

Is Your 1958 Nickel Rare?

For detailed information about your coin’s specific variety and current market value, our Coin Value Checker App provides an accurate rarity and value assessment for your coins.

 

Key Features of the 1958 Nickel

Felix Schlag designed both the Jefferson nickel obverse and reverse. The design remained essentially unchanged from 1938 to 2004, when the obverse was redesigned and the Westward Journey series began.

The Obverse of the 1958 Nickel

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson with his characteristic hairstyle and a composed expression. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears on the left periphery, while LIBERTY, a decorative star, and the date 1958 appear on the right.

A key detail to examine on any 1958 nickel is the sharpness of Jefferson’s hair curls and coat buttons. On poorly struck coins — which the Mega Red Book famously described as “ugly as sin” — these details are flat and indistinct. Well-struck examples show crisp, defined features throughout.

The Reverse of the 1958 Nickel

The reverse presents a detailed depiction of Monticello, Jefferson’s Virginia estate, centered on the coin. MONTICELLO appears below the building, FIVE CENTS in a half-circle beneath that, and E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery.

The most valuable detail to study here is the staircase at the base of Monticello. On a coin earning the Full Steps (FS) designation from PCGS or NGC, all five or six steps are clearly separated with no merging lines. Even a single merged step disqualifies the coin from this premium designation.

On Denver Mint coins, the “D” mintmark appears to the right of Monticello near the rim. Philadelphia-minted examples have no mintmark in this location.

Other Features of the 1958 Nickel

The 1958 Jefferson Nickel is a small cupronickel coin composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. It measures 21.21 millimeters (0.835 inches) in diameter, weighs 5 grams (0.176 ounces), and has a plain, smooth edge with a thickness of 1.95 millimeters.

The smooth edge distinguishes it from earlier designs like the Buffalo Nickel. There is no silver content — a fact worth knowing, since the 1942–1945 War Nickels do contain 35% silver and can be identified by a large mintmark above Monticello.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Nickels Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

1958 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

Denver’s output of approximately 168,249,000 pieces vastly outpaced Philadelphia’s 17,088,000 business strikes. The proof production of 875,652 pieces — all struck at Philadelphia without a mintmark — reflects a growing collector market fueled by postwar disposable income.

The survival data tells a fascinating story. Both Philadelphia and Denver business strikes show survival rates around 80%, consistent with widespread circulation. Proofs are more complex: standard proofs survived at roughly 60%, while Cameo (CAM) proofs survived at only about 19%.

Deep Cameo (DCAM) specimens — identified by intense frosting on the devices and mirror-like fields — survived at a mere 0.43%, equating to roughly 3,750 examples from the entire mintage of 875,652 proofs. This extreme rarity emerged not from low production numbers, but because the Cameo and Deep Cameo designations were not formally recognized by grading services until decades after 1958. Owners at the time had no reason to preserve these coins differently, so many were spent or lost.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1958 Nickel Value

Valuing a 1958 nickel comes down to spotting subtle details most people overlook — the sharpness of Monticello’s staircase steps, any doubling on Jefferson’s profile, or unusual mintmark placement. These nuances separate a five-cent piece from a four-figure specimen. Coin Value Checker App cuts through the complexity by analyzing your coin’s photographs and matching them against current market data.

 

1958 Nickel Value Guides

1958 Nickel Varieties:

• 1958 No Mint Mark Nickel (Philadelphia)
• 1958-D Nickel (Denver)
• 1958 Proof Nickel
• 1958 CAM (Cameo) Proof Nickel
• 1958 DCAM (Deep Cameo) Proof Nickel

Each 1958 nickel variety carries distinct market characteristics shaped by production location and striking method. Philadelphia and Denver produced business strikes for everyday commerce, while specially prepared proof versions targeted collectors. The Cameo (CAM) and Deep Cameo (DCAM) designations — applied retroactively by grading services — identify proofs with exceptional contrast between frosted devices and mirror-like fields.

 

1958 No Mint Mark Nickel Value (Philadelphia)

The 1958 Philadelphia nickel stands as the fourth lowest mintage in the entire Jefferson series, with just 17,088,000 struck. That makes it the scarcer of the two 1958 business strike varieties. To identify it, examine the reverse — if the area to the right of Monticello is empty (no “D”), the coin came from Philadelphia.

Strike quality varies dramatically. The Mega Red Book catalog noted that many examples are poorly made, attributing the inconsistency to inferior planchet materials and subpar die preparation during this period. PCGS classifies this coin as scarce in MS66 without the Full Steps designation, and rare in any grade above MS66. With Full Steps, it becomes very scarce at MS65 FS and very rare at MS66 FS or higher.

The finest known Philadelphia example, an MS66+ Full Steps, sold for $13,512.50 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in 2019 — the all-time auction record for this variety. A Heritage Auctions sale in January 2024 recorded a standard 1958 Philadelphia MS67 selling for $48. Experts estimate only about 75,000 Full Steps specimens exist across both mints, making a well-struck Philadelphia example extraordinarily scarce given the lower total production.

The MS66 nickel produced by the Philadelphia Mint performs well at auction.

The lower production figures from Philadelphia continue attracting discerning collectors who recognize future appreciation potential.

 

1958-D Nickel Value (Denver)

The 1958-D was struck to the tune of 168,249,000 pieces, making it by far the more common of the two business-strike varieties. The “D” mintmark appears to the right of Monticello on the reverse. Denver’s production standards in 1958 were generally better than Philadelphia’s, making Full Steps examples findable — though still scarce in the highest grades.

The auction record for a 1958-D Full Steps specimen stands at $6,325 for an MS67 example sold at Heritage Auctions in June 2008. At the time of sale, PCGS reported a population of just 7 coins in MS67, with 0 finer. A standard 1958-D MS67+ (without Full Steps) achieved $2,200 on eBay in April 2023, showing that even non-FS top-pop examples command serious premiums. Most circulated pieces trade for $0.06 to $0.15, while MS66-graded examples reach approximately $50 and top MS67 specimens can reach $750 at auction.

A 1958-D nickel graded MS67 5FS by NGC — with light gold toning over brilliant gray surfaces accented by amber, lilac, and powder blue — was described by Heritage Auctions as one of the finest known examples of the date.

Denver’s finest examples have established impressive benchmarks, with MS67 specimens commanding substantial premiums.

Market activity proves that the scarcity of the product exceeds its production.

 

1958 Proof Nickel Value

The 1958 Proof Jefferson Nickel came from the 1958 Proof Set, which the U.S. Mint sold for $2.10 per set. Each set contained a Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, Washington Quarter, and Franklin Half Dollar — all struck at the Philadelphia Mint using specially polished dies.

Proof dies in the 1950s were treated with a 95% alcohol and 5% nitric acid solution to create frosted devices, then the fields were polished to mirror brightness. The coin becomes scarce in PR69 condition. Standard examples without Cameo or Deep Cameo designations typically trade around $10, offering an accessible entry point for collectors building Jefferson nickel sets.

The standard proof nickel provides an entry-level point while maintaining value greater than face value even in mid-grades.

Registry collectors drive consistent demand for gem-quality examples.

 

1958 CAM (Cameo) Nickel Value

A Cameo (CAM) designation requires light to moderate frosting on the raised design elements (devices) on both sides of the coin, contrasting against the mirror-like fields. Only the earliest coins struck from fresh proof dies achieve this effect before the frosting wears away through repeated use.

Budget pressures in the late 1950s forced the Mint to maximize die life, meaning fewer coins were struck while dies were still fresh enough to produce cameo contrast. The 1958 Proof Nickel is particularly scarce in PR68 with the Cameo designation. Market values run approximately $36 at PR66 CAM, $42 at PR67 CAM, $135 at PR68 CAM, and $725 for PR69 CAM examples. The auction record stands at $1,116 for a PR69 CAM example sold at Heritage Auctions in July 2016.

The visual distinction of cameo contrast translates directly into measurable auction premiums.

Market activity peaked sharply in March before stabilizing at moderate levels throughout the remaining months.

 

1958 DCAM (Deep Cameo) Nickel Value

The Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation requires an exceptional frosted finish exclusive to the very first strikes from brand-new proof dies. Even the slightest fade or brilliance in the recessed design areas disqualifies a coin from this top tier. Budget constraints and shorter acid bath treatments during the 1957–1959 period made this particularly difficult to achieve in 1958.

Only an estimated 3,750 of the 875,652 proof nickels from 1958 qualify as DCAM — less than 0.5% of total proof production. These are the rarest coins in the entire 1958 nickel series. Values reflect this: PR66 DCAM specimens start at $1,050, PR67 DCAM examples reach $2,750, and PR69 DCAM pieces command approximately $10,500. The auction record stands at $10,869 for a 1958 DCAM nickel in PR69 grade, sold by Legend Rare Coin Auctions in September 2021.

Deep Cameo examples represent the absolute pinnacle of 1958 proof production, with auction results reflecting their elite status.

Market activity follows a similar pattern to the CAM variety, with a strong March spike and steady interest from advanced collectors throughout the year.

Also Read: 22 Rare Nickel Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1958 Nickel Error List

While most 1958 nickels are worth face value, error varieties can command premiums ranging from $65 to over $1,000 depending on the type and severity of the mistake. Here is every documented error type for this date.

1. 1958-D/D Inverted D FS-501 (Repunched Mint Mark)

This error occurred because mintmark application in 1958 was still a manual operation — workers hand-punched the “D” into each working die individually. When a mint employee accidentally positioned the punch upside-down, the inverted “D” was pressed into the die first, then corrected with a properly oriented strike. The result is a doubled “D” with the ghost of the inverted punch still visible beneath the correct mark under magnification.

The FS-501 designation in the Cherrypicker’s Guide catalogs this specific variety. PCGS recorded an auction record of $1,295 for an MS64 specimen sold on eBay in October 2016. The highest known grade without Full Steps is MS65, valued at approximately $1,500. Remarkably, no PCGS-certified examples with the Full Steps designation have been recorded, making any FS specimen extraordinarily rare.

2. 1958 Off-Center Strike Errors

Off-center strikes occur when a planchet is not properly centered beneath the die, resulting in part of the coin’s design being missing and replaced by a blank area of planchet. The further off-center the strike, the more dramatic and valuable the error.

A 1958-D nickel with an 85% off-center second strike, graded MS63 by NGC, sold at auction for approximately $180. A separate 1958-D example with a 75% off-center strike graded MS65 by NGC sold for $370. Off-center errors with dramatic misalignment and a readable date command the strongest premiums, ranging from $50 for minor examples to $600 or more for dramatic, high-grade pieces.

3. 1958 Double Strike Errors

Double strikes happen when a coin fails to eject from the press after its first strike and receives a second blow. If the coin shifts between strikes, two overlapping images appear. A 1958-D double-struck nickel with an 85% off-center second strike — creating a ghostly secondary impression near the coin’s edge — sold in MS63 grade for $200. Examples with particularly dramatic second-strike misalignment can fetch $300 to $600 in uncirculated condition.

4. 1958 Wrong Planchet Errors

Wrong planchet errors are among the rarest and most valuable 1958 nickel mistakes. They occur when a nickel die accidentally strikes a blank intended for a different denomination. Because cent planchets are smaller (19mm vs. 21.21mm) and lighter (2.5 grams vs. 5 grams), the resulting coin appears undersized with an incomplete design.

Several documented examples exist: a 1958 nickel struck on a Cuban 1-cent planchet sold for over $1,000 at auction; a nickel struck on a 10-cent planchet brought approximately $660–$1,000 depending on grade; and a nickel struck on a standard 1-cent planchet graded MS63 Brown sold for around $515. Any suspected wrong planchet error should be authenticated by PCGS or NGC before selling, as fakes exist.

5. 1958 Struck-Through Errors

Struck-through errors occur when foreign material — grease, cloth, wire, or debris — gets lodged between the die and planchet during striking. The obstruction leaves a blank, featureless area or an impression of the material itself on the finished coin.

A 1958 Philadelphia nickel struck through cloth, showing distinctive parallel lines across Jefferson’s portrait, sold for $68 at a 2024 auction. Minor grease-filled die errors (showing just a small weak area) add only $5–$15 over face value. More dramatic examples with large missing design areas can reach $30–$150.

6. 1958 Die Break and Die Cud Errors

Die breaks appear as raised lines or blobs on the coin’s surface caused by cracks in the die. Minor cracks add modest premiums of $5–$15. Severe breaks removing significant portions of the design — called “cuds” — produce flat, raised mounds attached to the rim and can reach $75–$200 depending on size and placement on the design.

7. 1958 Broadstrike Errors

Broadstrikes result from coins struck outside the retaining collar, allowing the metal to spread beyond standard diameter without producing a raised rim. A 1958-D broadstrike measuring 23 millimeters (vs. the normal 21.21mm) sold for $85 in 2023. These errors typically range from $60–$120 in uncirculated condition.

 

Where to Sell Your 1958 Nickel?

Once you’ve assessed your coin’s value, the next question is where to sell it online for the best price. I’ve gathered information on the top selling sites, including their features, strengths, and weaknesses.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1958 Nickel Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About the 1958 Nickel Value

1. What makes a 1958 nickel rare and valuable?

Most 1958 nickels are common and worth face value in circulated grades. What creates rarity is condition and designation. PCGS classifies the 1958 Philadelphia nickel as scarce in MS66 and rare in any grade above MS66. With the Full Steps designation — meaning all five or six steps of Monticello are fully separated — the coin becomes very rare in MS66 FS or higher. Deep Cameo proof examples (roughly 3,750 estimated survivors) are the rarest pieces in the entire 1958 nickel series.

2. Which 1958 nickels are the most expensive ever sold?

• 1958 No Mint Mark Nickel — MS66+ Full Steps — $13,512.50 in 2019 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions
• 1958 DCAM Proof Nickel — PR69 — $10,869 in 2021 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions
• 1958-D Nickel — MS67 Full Steps — $6,325 in 2008 at Heritage Auctions
• 1958-D Nickel — MS67+ — $2,200 in 2023 on eBay
• 1958-D/D Inverted D FS-501 — MS64 — $1,295 in 2016 on eBay
• 1958 CAM Proof Nickel — PR69 — $1,116 in 2016 at Heritage Auctions
• 1958 Proof Nickel — PR69 — $820 in 2018 on eBay
• 1958 No Mint Mark Nickel — MS66+ — $588 in 2017 at Heritage Auctions

3. How much is a 1958 nickel with no mint mark worth?

Circulated examples are worth $0.06 to $0.09. Mint State coins (MS60–MS63) typically trade for $0.10 to $14. Higher grades increase significantly: MS66 without Full Steps is worth approximately $4,150, while MS66 with Full Steps reaches around $2,400. The record sale of $13,512.50 for an MS66+ FS coin shows the ceiling for pristine examples.

4. Does the 1958 nickel contain silver?

No. The 1958 Jefferson Nickel is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel with zero silver content. Only the 1942–1945 War Nickels contain silver (35%). You can identify War Nickels by the large mintmark (P, D, or S) struck above Monticello on the reverse. The 1958 nickel’s value is purely based on collectibility and condition, not metal content.

5. What is the Full Steps (FS) designation, and how does it affect value?

Full Steps (FS) is a special designation assigned by PCGS and NGC to Jefferson Nickels where the five or six steps at the base of Monticello are completely separated with no merging or weakness. Achieving this required a perfectly aligned die, ideal planchet quality, and optimal striking pressure — a combination rarely achieved during high-volume production. A 1958-D in MS65 trades for around $6 without FS, but the same coin with Full Steps confirmed jumps to $125–$175. At MS67, Full Steps can push values from $750 up to $6,325 at auction.

6. What are the most valuable error coins in the 1958 nickel series?

The 1958-D/D Inverted D FS-501 RPM (Repunched Mint Mark) is the most documented error variety, with the highest PCGS-graded example (MS64) selling for $1,295. Wrong planchet errors — especially nickels struck on Cuban 1-cent planchets — have sold for over $1,000. Double-struck errors with dramatic off-center second strikes command $200–$600 depending on grade. Broadstrikes, struck-through errors, and die cuds round out the error family.

7. How do I tell a 1958 Philadelphia nickel from a 1958-D Denver nickel?

Examine the reverse of the coin to the right of Monticello, between the building and the rim. If you see a small “D,” the coin was struck at the Denver Mint. If that area is blank, the coin came from Philadelphia. Philadelphia did not use a mintmark during the 1950s. A magnifying glass or loupe helps — the “D” is small and can look similar to a die mark if the coin is heavily worn.

8. What are the most expensive Jefferson nickels ever sold, outside of the 1958 date?

The priciest Jefferson nickel from San Francisco is the 1954-S Full Steps coin in MS67, which sold for $35,250 in 2020. Two Denver coins share the series record of $33,600: the 1969-D MS65 (sold in 2021) and the 1938-D MS68+ (sold in 2022). The priciest Philadelphia coin is the 1964 SP68 from a Special Mint Set with Full Steps, which brought $32,900 in 2016. Error coins like the 1949-D/S MS67 ($32,900) and the 1942-D/D Horizontal D MS64 ($32,200) also rank among the series’ most valuable.

9. Is it worth submitting a 1958 nickel to PCGS or NGC for grading?

Professional grading fees run $20–$35 per coin, so it only makes sense for coins with clear upside. Submit if your coin shows sharp Monticello steps that appear to qualify as Full Steps in MS64 or better, or if it appears to grade MS66 or higher without Full Steps. Dramatic mint errors also justify certification. A raw 1958-D MS67 FS could bring $100–$150 locally, but the same coin certified by PCGS or NGC reliably brings $400–$500 or more in online auctions.

10. Why are 1958 Deep Cameo proof nickels so rare when 875,000 proofs were made?

The scarcity of DCAM examples comes from three overlapping factors. First, the Mint used short acid bath treatments in 1957–1959 to save costs, reducing the frosting depth on proof dies. Second, dies were used to strike more coins than ideal to maximize efficiency, meaning frosting wore off quickly. Third — and most importantly — the DCAM designation did not exist in 1958. Collectors of the era had no reason to set aside the finest-looking proofs. Only the first few strikes from each die produced DCAM quality before the frosting faded, resulting in an estimated survival of just 3,750 DCAM examples from a total proof mintage of 875,652.