1958 Nickel Value (Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth)

While the 1958 Jefferson Nickel  common in circulated grades, high-quality specimens are surprisingly difficult to obtain. Most pieces show heavy wear from decades of circulation, making pristine examples scarce.

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

While circulated examples trade near face value, premium specimens in MS66 and above command thousands of dollars at auction. This steep price gradient reflects—achieving full detail on Monticello’s steps required precise die alignment and optimal planchet quality, conditions rarely met during high-volume production runs.

The 1958 Jefferson nickel exemplifies the concept of conditional rarity. Though over 185 million pieces were minted between Philadelphia and Denver, survival rates in gem grades remain remarkably low. Decades of circulation decimated the population of pristine specimens, creating scarcity at the top end. Full Steps designations further restrict the elite tier, as these coins represent perhaps 1% of the surviving mint state population. Collectors recognize this scarcity dynamic, driving competitive bidding for MS67+ examples.

 

History of The 1958 Nickel

The Jefferson Nickel series began in 1938, when designer Felix Schlag won a national competition among 390 artists, earning a $1,000 award for his design honoring America’s third president. Although Schlag’s winning design was selected, the U.S. Mint required him to make modifications before final approval. His artwork featured Jefferson’s profile and Monticello, creating an enduring image that would span generations.

By 1958, America was experiencing a transformative era characterized by post-World War II economic growth and social change. The period brought widespread optimism and prosperity, with Americans embracing a consumer-driven lifestyle. The 1958 nickel symbolizes the latter years of post-war America and marked the 20th anniversary of the Jefferson series. These coins became common in everyday transactions, reflecting the values of hard work and progress that defined the nation during the late 1950s.

During World War II, the composition had temporarily changed to conserve strategic materials—nickels were made from 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese between 1942-1945 because copper and nickel were critical for war machinery. By 1958, the standard 75% copper and 25% nickel composition had long been restored, representing a return to peacetime normalcy.

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 CoinValueChecker App provides the accurate rarity and value assessment for your coins.

 

Key Features of The 1958 Nickel

Felix Schlag designed both the Jefferson nickel obverse and reverse. These copper coins kept the same look from 1938 to 2004, when the obverse was re-designed.

The Obverse Of The 1958 Nickel

The obverse of the 1958 Jefferson Nickel features an intricately detailed portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson is depicted with his characteristic hairstyle and a thoughtful expression, which reflects the depth of his contributions to the founding of the nation.

The left-facing profile presents the motto IN GOD WE TRUST positioned on the left periphery, while LIBERTY followed by a decorative star and the year 1958 appear on the right side. The inscriptions are elegantly placed around Jefferson’s portrait, affirming the coin’s dedication to the principles of freedom and democracy, effectively capturing his essence as a statesman and philosopher.

The Reverse Of The 1958 Nickel

The reverse side presents a detailed representation of Monticello, Jefferson’s beloved estate in Virginia, portrayed with remarkable accuracy that showcases its classical architecture and distinctive dome.

The Jefferson home is prominently centered with the name MONTICELLO captioned below. The denomination FIVE CENTS is spelled out in a half circle underneath, while the words E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appear at the top and bottom periphery.

On coins struck at the Denver Mint, the “D” mintmark is positioned on the right side of Monticello, between the building and the rim. Philadelphia-produced coins bear no mintmark in this location.

Other Features Of The 1958 Nickel

The Jefferson nickels minted in 1958 are small cupronickel coins composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, with a diameter of 21.21 millimeters (0.83504 inches). They carry a face value of $0.05 and feature a plain, smooth edge. Each specimen weighs 5 grams (0.17637 ounces), while the thickness measures 1.95 millimeters (0.07677 inches) in well-preserved examples.

The coin’s smooth edge distinguishes it from earlier nickel designs like the Buffalo Nickel, which featured decorative edge treatments. This standardized composition and design remained consistent throughout the 1950s, representing the stability of American coinage during the post-war era.

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

 

1958 Nickel Mintage & Survival Data

The 1958 nickel production tells a story of post-war American economics and collecting habits. Denver’s overwhelming output of 168 million pieces dwarfed Philadelphia’s 17 million business strikes, reflecting the growing western population and economic expansion during this prosperous era. The proof production of 875,652 pieces indicates a burgeoning collector market—Americans flush with disposable income were increasingly viewing coins as investments rather than mere currency.

The survival data reveals patterns rooted in human behavior and economic conditions. Business strikes from both mints show similar survival rates around 80%, suggesting widespread circulation across the nation as Americans embraced consumer spending. However, the proof category demonstrates a dramatic divergence: while standard proofs retained a 60% survival rate, cameo proofs survived at only 19%, and deep cameo specimens at a mere 0.43%.

This stratification reflects the era’s limited collector sophistication. In 1958, the concept of cameo contrast wasn’t yet recognized as a premium feature—the Cameo and Deep Cameo designations weren’t formally established by grading services until decades later. Consequently, many superior proof strikes were spent or discarded, their owners unaware of their future significance. The minuscule DCAM survival rate of 3,750 pieces from 875,652 proofs exemplifies how rarity can emerge not from low mintage, but from later recognition of previously unappreciated quality distinctions.

Also Read: Jefferson Nickel Value (1938-Present)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1958 Nickel Value

Valuing a 1958 nickel hinges on spotting subtle details most people overlook—the sharpness of Monticello’s staircase, any doubling on Jefferson’s profile, or unusual mint mark placement. These nuances separate a five-cent piece from a four-figure specimen. CoinValueChecker 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 designations—introduced retroactively by grading services—identify proofs with exceptional contrast between frosted devices and mirror-like fields, creating visual drama that commands substantial premiums over standard strikes.

 

1958 No Mint Mark Nickel Value

The 1958 Philadelphia nickel stands as the fourth lowest mintage in the entire Jefferson series, making it the scarcer of the two business strike varieties produced that year. Identification requires examining the reverse—the area to the right of Monticello remains empty on Philadelphia nickels, as the facility did not use mint marks during the 1950s. Strike quality varies radically among 1958 Philadelphia nickels, with the Mega Red Book catalog describing many specimens as “ugly as sin,” attributing the inconsistency to poor workmanship and inferior planchet materials. This dramatic variation creates a bifurcated market where common circulated examples trade near face value, while premium specimens command exponential premiums.

The single finest known example, graded MS66+ Full Steps, sold for $13,512.50 at a 2019 auction, establishing a record price for Philadelphia-minted 1958 nickels. Experts estimate only 75,000 Full Steps specimens exist across both mints, making well-struck Philadelphia examples extraordinarily rare given the lower initial 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

The 1958-D demonstrates improved manufacturing standards, making it possible to find specimens in Mint State with Full Steps designation up to MS68. The “D” mint mark appears on the reverse, positioned to the right of Monticello near the rim, distinguishing these coins from their Philadelphia counterparts. The massive mintage makes this variety common in circulated grades and most uncirculated grades, including with Full Steps designation, though cherry-picking is advised given the wide quality range inherent in high-volume production.

The auction record for a 1958-D Full Steps specimen reached $6,325 for an MS67 example sold at Heritage Auctions in June 2008, while an MS67+ grade achieved $2,200 on eBay in April 2023. Most circulated pieces trade for $0.06 to $0.09, with standard Mint State examples (MS60-MS63) commanding less than $5, while MS66-graded coins reach approximately $50 and top MS67 specimens can quickly escalate to $750 at auction.

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 originated from the comprehensive 1958 Proof Set issued by the U.S. Mint, which contained a Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, Washington Quarter, and Franklin Half Dollar—all coins struck in proof format displaying the year 1958. These proof specimens were struck using a special process that creates mirror-like surfaces and sharp, detailed features, distinguishing them dramatically from business strikes intended for circulation.

During the 1950s, dies were pickled in a 95% alcohol and 5% nitric acid solution to achieve this frosted aesthetic, with the fields subsequently polished away to leave them with a brilliant finish. Most coins in the 1958 Proof Set were well struck, including the Jefferson Nickel, though the coin becomes scarce in PR69 condition. Standard 1958 proof nickels without cameo designations typically trade around ten dollars, representing accessible entry points for collectors building Jefferson nickel sets.

The standard proof nickel provides an entry-level point while maintaining a value greater than face value in the top grades.

Registry collectors drive consistent demand for gem-quality examples.

 

1958 CAM Nickel Value

The 1958 Proof Jefferson Nickel is particularly scarce in PR68 condition with Cameo surfaces, adding considerable premiums over non-cameo examples. A “Cameo” designation requires light to moderate frosting on all devices across both sides, with minimal brilliant areas that don’t compromise eye appeal.

Budget constraints during this period forced the Mint to maximize die life, striking far more coins per die than ideal. This meant fewer coins were produced while dies were fresh enough to create the sharp frosted contrast defining cameo surfaces—only the earliest strikes achieved this effect before frosting wore away.

Market values reflect this scarcity: PR66 Cameo examples cost around $36, PR67 reaches $42, PR68 commands approximately $135, and PR69 specimens can reach $725. The auction record stands at $1,116 for a PR69 example sold at Heritage Auctions in July 2016, demonstrating strong collector demand for these scarce early cameo Jefferson Nickels.

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 Nickel Value

The 1958 proof nickel represents a particularly challenging issue for collectors seeking Deep Cameo (DCAM) specimens. Budget constraints and shorter acid bath treatments during the 1957-1959 period resulted in declining cameo production, making 1958 deep cameo specimens especially scarce among this era.

To achieve the elite DCAM designation, a coin must display an exceptional frosted finish seen exclusively on the first few strikes from new proof dies. Even the smallest amount of brilliance or fade in the recessed design areas disqualifies a coin from this classification. Experts estimate that approximately 3,750 of the 875,652 proof nickels struck in 1958 qualify as DCAM specimens—representing less than 0.5% of total proof production and making them the rarest pieces in the entire 1958 nickel series.

This scarcity is reflected in market values: PR66 DCAM specimens start at $1,050, PR67 DCAM examples reach $2,750, and the finest 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 with a strong March spike, maintaining steady interest due to exceptional rarity.

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.

1958-D/D D/ Inverted D FS-501

The 1958-D/D D/Inverted D FS-501 resulted from human intervention during the minting process, while the coin designs were struck by machine, mint mark application remained a manual operation. The procedure required mint workers to hand-punch each “D” into the working die, creating opportunities for misalignment. When a mint employee accidentally positioned the punch upside-down, the initial inverted “D” was impressed into the die, then corrected with a properly oriented strike, producing the distinctive D/D overlap visible on the finished coins.

The FS-501 designation catalogues this specific repunched mint mark variety, with PCGS recording an auction record of $1,295 for an MS64 specimen sold on eBay in October 2016. Remarkably, no PCGS-certified examples of this error exist with Full Steps designation, making any Full Steps specimen extraordinarily rare, with the highest regular grade reaching only MS65 and valued at $1,500.

The inverted “D” remains visible under magnification as a shadow or ghosting beneath the correctly oriented mint mark, positioned to the right of Monticello—a fascinating artifact of mid-century manual minting techniques that predated modern automated production methods.

 

Where to Sell Your 1958 Nickel?

Once you’ve assessed your coins’ value, the next question is where to sell them online with ease. 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 1958 Nickel

1. What makes Jefferson nickels minted in 1958 rare?

Some nickels, like the 1913 Liberty Head nickels, are scarce and worth millions, but this is not the case with those produced in 1958. Most of these coins are common and readily available, but you can consider the proof DCAM nickels made this year in Philadelphia the rarest in the set.

2. Which Jefferson nickels minted in 1958 are the costliest in the set?

• The 1958 nickel with Full Steps and in MS 66+ grade sold at $13,513 in 2019 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions
• The 1958 nickel with DCAM quality and in PR 69 grade sold at $10,869 in 2021 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions
• The 1958 D nickel with Full Steps and in MS 67 grade sold at $6,325 in 2008 at Heritage Auctions
• The 1958 D nickel in MS 67+ grade sold at $2,200 in 2023 on eBay
• The 1958 D/D nickel with D/ Inverted D error and in MS 64 grade sold at $1,295 in 2016 on eBay
• The 1958 nickel with CAM quality and in PR 69 grade sold at $1,116 • 07-07-2016 at Heritage Auctions
• The 1958 nickel in PR 69 grade sold at $820 in 2018 on eBay
• The 1958 nickel in MS 66+ grade sold at $588 in 2017 at Heritage Auctions

3. How much is the nickel from 1958 with No Mint mark worth?

The 1958 nickel value depends on their quality, so you can count on only $0.06 to $0.09 for circulated pieces, while those in the mint state typically cost $0.10 to $38. Only regular nickels in MS 66 grade are worth up to $350, while those with Full Steps are assessed at $2,400.

4. What are the priciest nickels in the Jefferson series?

The most expensive Jefferson nickel produced in the San Francisco mint is the Full Steps coin from 1954 in MS 67 grade, sold at $35,250 in 2020. Two pieces with Full Steps from Denver share the same record price of $33,600:

• The 1969 D MS 65 nickel sold in 2021
• The 1938 D MS 68+ nickel sold in 2022

Interestingly, one common MS 64-rated nickel minted in the same mint in 1960 reached only a slightly lower price of $32,200 in 2004. The priciest Philadelphia coin in the series is the 1964 SP 68 nickel from Special Mint Set with Full Steps, thanks to the cost of $32,900 reached at an auction in 2016.

Some error nickels are also highly valuable, including:

• 1949 D/S MS 67 nickel – $32,900
• 1942 D/D MS 64 D/Horizontal D nickel – $32,200
• 1940 PR 68 Reverse of 1938 nickel – $28,750
• 1939 MS 67 FS Doubled Monticello nickel – $23,500
• 1939 MS 68 Reverse of 1940 nickel – $23,500