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

1958 Nickel value ranges from $0.05 face value to $13,513. That record sale was a Grade 66 example sold through LM back in December 2019. Upload a photo of yours below and we’ll give you a quick value range in seconds. Then scroll down to see what 1958 Nickels are actually selling for on eBay right now.

 

1958 Nickel Value By Variety

Two mints struck 1958 Jefferson Nickels, and each variety carries a different price tag. If you already know your coin’s grade, jump straight to the Value Guides section below for exact numbers.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1958 Nickel Worth Money

The big money starts at MS66 and climbs fast. Getting clean, fully separated steps on Monticello is brutally hard on a coin cranked out at production speed. The die alignment, planchet quality, and strike pressure all had to be perfect — and they almost never were.

Over 185 million 1958 nickels were struck between the two mints. Sounds like a lot. But surviving gems with Full Steps (FS) — meaning five or six cleanly defined steps at Monticello’s base — make up roughly 1% of the Mint State population. That’s a completely different kind of rare.

 

History of the 1958 Nickel

By 1958, the Jefferson series had been running for 20 years. Felix Schlag won the original design competition in 1938, beating out 390 other artists for a $1,000 prize. The Mint made him tweak his design before production, but his portrait of America’s third president and his rendering of Monticello stuck around for over 65 years.

The late 1950s were boom times. Suburbs were spreading, cars were selling, and Americans had money to spend — including on coin collecting. That growing hobby market helped push proof set sales higher every year.

One fun detail: during World War II (1942–1945), nickels were made with 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese to save strategic metals. By 1958, the standard 75% copper / 25% nickel mix had long been back.

Q. David Bowers described the quality range of 1958 survivors as “fire and ice.” Some are gorgeous. Others are genuinely ugly, with mushy steps and flat details straight from the press. That wild inconsistency is exactly why cherrypicking this date pays off.

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 Identifier and Value App provides an accurate rarity and value assessment for your coins.

 

Key Features of the 1958 Nickel

Felix Schlag designed both sides of the Jefferson nickel. His layout stayed essentially the same from 1938 all the way to 2004, when the Westward Journey series shook things up.

The Obverse of the 1958 Nickel

Jefferson faces left with his familiar hairstyle. IN GOD WE TRUST runs along the left rim. LIBERTY, a small star, and the date 1958 sit on the right side.

Here’s what to look for when you’re examining one: check the sharpness of Jefferson’s hair curls and coat buttons. On weak strikes — the Mega Red Book famously called them “ugly as sin” — those details are flat and mushy. A well-struck example shows crisp definition throughout. That difference matters for grading.

The Reverse of the 1958 Nickel

Flip it over and you’ll see Monticello front and center. MONTICELLO appears below the building, FIVE CENTS curves beneath that, and E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA wrap around the top.

Now look at the staircase at the base of Monticello. That’s where the money is. For a Full Steps (FS) designation from PCGS or NGC, all five or six steps need to be clearly separated — no merging anywhere. Even one mushed step kills the designation.

On Denver coins, look for the “D” mintmark to the right of Monticello near the rim. No letter there? It’s a Philadelphia strike.

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.

That smooth edge sets it apart from the older Buffalo Nickel. There’s no silver in this coin — don’t confuse it with the 1942–1945 War Nickels, which do contain 35% silver. You can spot those by the large mintmark above Monticello on the reverse.

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

 

1958 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

Denver crushed Philadelphia in output — approximately 168,249,000 pieces versus just 17,088,000 business strikes. The 875,652 proofs all came from Philadelphia (no mintmark) and reflect a collector market that was growing fast on postwar spending money.

Both business-strike varieties show survival rates around 80%, which makes sense — most went straight into circulation. Proofs tell a wilder story. Standard proofs survived at roughly 60%, Cameo (CAM) proofs at only about 19%.

Deep Cameo (DCAM) specimens? A mere 0.43% survival rate. That’s roughly 3,750 coins from 875,652 proofs. The reason isn’t low mintage — it’s that nobody knew DCAM was a thing in 1958. Grading services didn’t formally recognize the designation until decades later. Collectors back then had zero reason to set the frostiest proofs aside, so most got spent, stored carelessly, 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 Identifier and Value 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

Philadelphia and Denver handled the business strikes. Proofs came exclusively from Philadelphia. The Cameo (CAM) and Deep Cameo (DCAM) labels were applied retroactively by grading services to identify proofs with standout contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields.

 

1958 No Mint Mark Nickel Value (Philadelphia)

Only 17,088,000 struck. That’s the fourth lowest mintage in the entire Jefferson series, making this the scarcer business-strike variety for 1958. Check the reverse to the right of Monticello — if there’s no “D,” you’ve got a Philly coin.

Strike quality is all over the map. The Mega Red Book blamed inferior planchet materials and sloppy die prep for the inconsistency. PCGS calls this coin scarce in MS66 without Full Steps, and flat-out rare above MS66. Add Full Steps and it becomes very scarce at MS65 FS, very rare at MS66 FS or higher.

The finest known example — an MS66+ Full Steps — brought $13,512.50 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in 2019. That’s the all-time record for this variety. Meanwhile, a standard MS67 (no FS) sold for just $48 at Heritage Auctions in January 2024. Experts estimate only about 75,000 Full Steps specimens exist across both mints, so a well-struck Philly coin is a genuine find.

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

Philadelphia’s lower mintage keeps drawing collectors who see long-term upside here.

 

1958-D Nickel Value (Denver)

Here’s a question worth asking: if Denver made nearly ten times more nickels than Philly in 1958, why do top-grade D-mints still sell for thousands? Because 168,249,000 coins and maybe a handful in MS67 FS are two very different numbers. The “D” mintmark sits to the right of Monticello on the reverse. Denver’s strike quality generally ran better than Philadelphia’s that year, so Full Steps examples are findable — just not at the top of the grading scale.

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 sale time, PCGS showed just 7 coins in MS67 with 0 finer. A standard MS67+ (no FS) hit $2,200 on eBay in April 2023, proving even non-FS top-pop coins pull serious money. Most circulated pieces trade for $0.06 to $0.15. MS66 examples reach about $50, and top MS67 specimens can hit $750.

One standout: a 1958-D 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 for the date.

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

Top-grade scarcity far outpaces what the huge mintage would suggest.

 

1958 Proof Nickel Value

For $2.10 in 1958, you got a complete proof set: Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, Washington Quarter, and Franklin Half Dollar. All struck at Philadelphia on specially polished dies.

The Mint treated proof dies with a 95% alcohol and 5% nitric acid solution to frost the devices, then polished the fields to a mirror finish. The coin gets scarce at PR69. Standard proofs without Cameo or Deep Cameo typically trade around $10 — a cheap entry point if you’re building a Jefferson set.

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

Registry set collectors keep demand steady for gem examples.

 

1958 CAM (Cameo) Nickel Value

Most collectors don’t realize how fast cameo contrast disappears. Only the very first strikes from a fresh proof die show that frosty-on-mirror look. After a few dozen impressions, it’s gone. A Cameo (CAM) designation requires light to moderate frosting on the raised devices on both sides, contrasting against mirror fields.

Budget pressure in the late 1950s pushed the Mint to squeeze more strikes out of each die, which meant fewer coins came off while the frosting was still intact. The 1958 Proof Nickel gets particularly scarce at PR68 CAM. Prices run about $36 at PR66 CAM, $42 at PR67 CAM, $135 at PR68 CAM, and $725 for PR69 CAM. The auction record is $1,116 for a PR69 CAM sold at Heritage Auctions in July 2016.

That cameo contrast translates directly into higher auction prices across every grade level.

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

 

1958 DCAM (Deep Cameo) Nickel Value

I think these are the most underappreciated coins in the 1958 series. Deep Cameo (DCAM) demands heavy frosting — the kind you only get from the very first strikes off a brand-new die. Even a slight fade in the frost knocks you down to regular Cameo. Budget cuts and shorter acid bath treatments during 1957–1959 made achieving this level of contrast especially tough.

The numbers tell the story. Only about 3,750 of the 875,652 proof nickels qualify as DCAM — less than 0.5%. PR66 DCAM starts at $1,050. PR67 DCAM hits $2,750. PR69 DCAM commands roughly $10,500. The auction record is $10,869 for a PR69 grade example 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

Most 1958 nickels are worth face value. Errors change that — premiums range from $65 to over $1,000 depending on the type and how dramatic the mistake is. Here’s every documented error for this date.

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

This is a fun one to cherrypick. In 1958, mintmarks were still punched into each working die by hand. Somebody at Denver held the “D” punch upside-down for the first hit, then corrected it with a second, properly oriented strike. Under magnification, you can see the ghost of that inverted “D” lurking beneath the correct one.

The Cherrypicker’s Guide catalogs this as FS-501. 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. Here’s the kicker: no PCGS-certified examples with Full Steps have ever been recorded. If you find one, you’re holding something truly special.

2. 1958 Off-Center Strike Errors

When a planchet doesn’t seat properly under the die, part of the design gets cut off and replaced by blank metal. The more dramatic the shift, the more valuable the coin — as long as the date is still readable.

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. Minor off-centers start around $50. Dramatic examples with a visible date can push past $600.

3. 1958 Double Strike Errors

These happen when a coin doesn’t eject after the first strike and takes a second hit. If it shifts between strikes, you get two overlapping images — sometimes dramatically offset. A 1958-D double-struck nickel with an 85% off-center second strike — creating a ghostly secondary impression near the edge — sold in MS63 grade for $200. Pieces with wild misalignment can bring $300 to $600 in uncirculated condition.

4. 1958 Wrong Planchet Errors

Wrong planchet errors are among the rarest 1958 nickel mistakes. A nickel die accidentally strikes a blank meant for a different denomination. Cent planchets are smaller (19mm vs. 21.21mm) and lighter (2.5 grams vs. 5 grams), so the resulting coin looks undersized with missing design elements.

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. Get any suspected wrong planchet error authenticated by PCGS or NGC before selling — fakes are out there.

5. 1958 Struck-Through Errors

Foreign material — grease, cloth, wire, debris — gets trapped between the die and planchet during striking. The result is a blank spot or an impression of the material 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 add only $5–$15 over face value. Larger struck-through areas with missing design details can reach $30–$150.

6. 1958 Die Break and Die Cud Errors

Die breaks show up as raised lines or blobs on the coin’s surface from cracks in the die. Small cracks add $5–$15. Major breaks that remove chunks of the design — called “cuds” — create flat, raised mounds attached to the rim. Those can bring $75–$200 depending on size and location.

7. 1958 Broadstrike Errors

A broadstrike happens when the coin gets struck outside the retaining collar. The metal spreads beyond normal diameter and the rim doesn’t form properly. A 1958-D broadstrike measuring 23 millimeters (vs. the normal 21.21mm) sold for $85 in 2023. Expect $60–$120 for uncirculated examples.

 

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?

Condition and designation — that’s it. Most 1958 nickels are common in circulated grades. PCGS calls the Philadelphia coin scarce in MS66 and rare above that. Add Full Steps and it jumps to very rare at MS66 FS or higher. Deep Cameo proofs (roughly 3,750 estimated survivors) are the rarest pieces in the entire 1958 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 run $0.06 to $0.09. Mint State coins (MS60–MS63) trade for $0.10 to $14. At MS66 without Full Steps, you’re looking at roughly $4,150. With Full Steps, MS66 reaches about $2,400. The ceiling? That $13,512.50 MS66+ FS sale.

4. Does the 1958 nickel contain silver?

No. It’s 75% copper and 25% nickel — zero silver. Only the 1942–1945 War Nickels contain silver (35%). You can spot those by the large mintmark (P, D, or S) above Monticello on the reverse. Your 1958 nickel’s value is based entirely on collectibility and condition, not melt value.

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

Full Steps means all five or six steps at Monticello’s base are completely separated with no merging or weakness. Everything had to go right — perfect die alignment, ideal planchet, optimal strike pressure. That almost never happened 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 leads the pack — the highest PCGS-graded example (MS64) sold for $1,295. Wrong planchet errors come next, especially nickels struck on Cuban 1-cent planchets (over $1,000). Double-struck errors with dramatic off-center second strikes bring $200–$600. 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?

Look at the reverse, to the right of Monticello between the building and the rim. Small “D” there? Denver. Nothing? Philadelphia. Philly didn’t use a mintmark in the 1950s. Grab a loupe — the “D” is tiny and can look like a die mark on heavily worn coins.

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?

Grading fees run $20–$35 per coin, so you need clear upside. Submit if your coin shows sharp Monticello steps that look like they’d qualify as Full Steps in MS64 or better, or if it appears to grade MS66+ without FS. Dramatic errors also justify the cost. A raw 1958-D MS67 FS might bring $100–$150 locally, but slabbed by PCGS or NGC, the same coin reliably brings $400–$500 or more online.

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

Three things stacked against DCAM survival. First, the Mint used short acid bath treatments in 1957–1959 to cut costs, reducing frosting depth on proof dies. Second, dies were pushed to strike more coins than ideal, so frosting wore off fast. Third — and this is the big one — the DCAM designation didn’t exist in 1958. Nobody knew to save the frostiest proofs. Only the first few strikes from each die produced DCAM quality before the frosting faded, leaving an estimated 3,750 DCAM survivors from 875,652 total proofs.