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

1958 Wheat Penny value ranges from $0.01 face value to $336,000. That record was set by a PCGS MS64 Red DDO example sold through Stack’s Bowers in March 2018. Upload a photo of yours below and get a quick value range in seconds. Then scroll down to see what 1958 Wheat Pennies are actually selling for on eBay right now.

 

1958 Wheat Penny Value By Variety

The 1958 Wheat Penny comes in several varieties. Coins graded MS or PR can jump into the hundreds or thousands, so condition is everything.

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 Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1958 Wheat Penny Worth Money

The 1958 DDO (Doubled Die Obverse) dominates this list. Only three examples are known. The finest—graded PCGS MS65 RD—sold at GreatCollections in January 2023 from the Stewart Blay Collection for $1,136,250. That made it the first Lincoln cent ever to break the million-dollar mark at auction.

An MS64 RD from the ESM Collection brought $336,000 at Stack’s Bowers in March 2018. Even a standard 1958 penny graded MS69 has hit $50,400. That’s what top-pop preservation does to a coin most people think is worth a nickel.

Also Read: Lincoln Wheat Penny Value (1909-1958)

 

History of the 1958 Wheat Penny

1958 is the final year the U.S. Mint used Victor David Brenner’s wheat reverse design. In 1959, Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial reverse replaced it to mark Lincoln’s 150th birthday. The wheat stalks had a remarkable 50-year run.

When word of the design change leaked in late 1958, something funny happened. Ordinary people started hoarding pennies. Banks reported customers specifically asking for shiny ’58s, and tellers got sick of the question fast. Kids who’d never cared about coins suddenly filled jars. Grandparents stashed rolls as keepsakes.

The Mint responded by cranking out over 1.3 billion 1958 wheat pennies—the highest production count in the entire wheat cent series. On December 31, 1958, the Philadelphia Mint held a small ceremony as the last wheat cent rolled off the press.

The irony? Because so many people saved them, 1958 wheat pennies are still common today. But they mark the exact moment one iconic design gave way to the next.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Pennies Worth Money (1787 – Present)

 

Is Your 1958 Wheat Penny Rare?

Most 1958 pennies are not rare. Over a billion were struck, and the public saved them by the jarful.

But here’s the catch: the DDO error, DCAM proofs, and top-grade Red specimens are a completely different kind of rare. A common-date coin in MS67+ RD is genuinely scarce. Know which category yours falls into before you price it.

To identify your 1958 wheat penny’s variety and potential value, our Coin Identifier and Value App can help you sort it out fast.

 

Key Features of the 1958 Wheat Penny

Lincoln’s profile has appeared on the obverse of this penny for over a century, through every design change. Here’s what to look for on the 1958 issue.

The Obverse Of The 1958 Wheat Penny

Lincoln’s right-facing bust fills the center, showing him in a period-appropriate suit. You can read IN GOD WE TRUST along the top rim above his head. LIBERTY sits on the left behind his shoulder. The date appears on the right near the bottom rim, and the mint mark (if present) sits directly below the date.

The Reverse Of The 1958 Wheat Penny

Flip it over. ONE CENT is centered in the middle, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA directly below. E PLURIBUS UNUM arches along the upper rim.

Two wheat stalks curl along each side of the rim. These are the first thing to show wear—check the line separation at the tips to gauge condition quickly.

Other Features Of The 1958 Wheat Penny

The 1958 Wheat Penny contains 95% copper in its composition, with the remaining 5% being an alloy of zinc and tin. It has a standard diameter of 19.05 mm (0.75 inches) and weighs 3.11 grams (0.11 ounces).

The coin has a plain (smooth) edge and a thickness of 1.52 mm. These physical specifications have been consistent throughout the Lincoln Wheat cent series.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Money (1909 to 1958)

 

1958 Wheat Penny Mintage & Survival Data

Denver struck over 800 million 1958-D pennies. Philadelphia added another 252 million without a mint mark. That’s over a billion coins—and yet only a tiny fraction survived in collectible shape.

How tiny? Just 0.0032% of Philadelphia strikes and 0.0025% of Denver coins. Picture a stadium packed with 40,000 pennies. One of them is slabbed and worth grading. That’s the ratio you’re looking at.

Proofs did much better since collectors stored them properly. Standard proofs show a 37.1% survival rate, CAM proofs sit at 31.4%, and DCAM proofs are under 1%. Only 875,652 proofs were struck total, including CAM and DCAM finishes.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Coins Worth Money (1859 – 1909)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1958 Wheat Penny Value

Start by checking for a mint mark beneath the date. A “D” means Denver. No letter means Philadelphia.

Next, flip it over and look at the wheat stalks. The lines at the tips should be separate and sharp, not mushed together. On the obverse, Lincoln’s cheek and jawline are where wear shows up first.

Scratches and bag marks knock the grade down fast. Then check the color. Red (RD) coins bring the most money, followed by Red-Brown (RB), then Brown (BN).

For a quick, reliable estimate of condition and potential value, the Coin Identifier and Value App provides instant assessment and highlights possible errors.

 

1958 Wheat Penny Value Guides

Here’s a breakdown of every 1958 wheat penny category you might encounter.

1958 Wheat Penny Categories:

• 1958 No Mint Mark – Philadelphia circulation strike
• 1958-D – Denver circulation strike
• 1958 Proof – Standard proof finish
• 1958 CAM – Cameo proof with frosted design elements
• 1958 DCAM – Deep Cameo proof with maximum contrast

Also Read: Value Of Old Pennies By Year (1959-Present)

 

1958 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value

Most people don’t realize the Philadelphia issue is actually the scarcer of the two 1958 business strikes. Only 252,525,000 were made—less than a third of Denver’s output.

The typical slabbed example grades MS66 RD. PCGS reports just 11 grading events at MS67+ RD, which is the ceiling for this variety. In October 2019, an MS67+ example sold for $9,000. Another MS67+ graded by PCGS brought $6,756.25 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in June 2019.

Circulated pieces? You’re looking at 5 to 15 cents. But an MS67 Red specimen approaches $450. The jump from pocket change to serious money happens fast once you cross into gem territory.

Here’s how auction prices break down across different grades.

Current market activity for this variety:

 

1958-D Wheat Penny Value

800,953,300 struck. That’s roughly 80% of all 1958 wheat pennies. You’d think that makes them boring—but the Denver coins from this year are known for sharp strikes, strong detail, and excellent color.

This was the last wheat penny Denver ever made. As of June 2025, PCGS reports 38 coins graded MS67+ RD. NGC has certified 4 examples at MS68 RD. The finest NGC-graded MS68 RD sold at Heritage Auctions in May 2023 for $1,920. A PCGS MS67+ RD CAC example from the Whispering Pines Collection brought $3,600 at Heritage Auctions in January 2025.

I think the 1958-D is underappreciated for its quality. If you’re cherrypicking rolls, this is a date where you might actually find a gem.

Lower grades stay cheap and stable. Top-tier coins carry solid premiums.

So, what is the actual market appeal of the 1958-D wheat penny today? See the chart below.

 

1958 Proof Wheat Penny Value

Did you know this is the very last proof coin to carry the wheat reverse? That alone gives it a special place in any Lincoln set.

Exactly 875,652 were struck using polished dies on polished planchets, producing that distinctive mirror finish. These don’t carry a mint mark even though they were made in Philadelphia. A PR65 Red example realized $5,759 at auction in 2006.

We think these are still undervalued as a “last of type” proof. The combination of historical significance and relatively modest mintage makes them worth a close look.

Auction results across different grades:

Market activity over the past year:

 

1958 CAM Wheat Penny Value

Here’s a common misconception: the Mint intentionally created cameo proofs in 1958. They didn’t. The frosted contrast between raised devices and mirror fields was a happy accident that only showed up on the first few strikes from a fresh die.

Once the die saw repeated use, the frosting wore off. That’s why CAM examples are far scarcer than standard proofs. A PR-68 CAM specimen sold for $432 in 2018, with roughly 28 known at that grade. The survival rate sits around 31.4%—decent, since collectors handled these carefully.

If you have a 1958 proof, hold it at an angle under a strong light. Any frostiness on Lincoln’s portrait or the wheat stalks could mean you’re holding a cameo.

Here are auction records which can help you have a better understanding of this variety’s value.

The chart below shows the latest market activity over the year.

 

1958 DCAM Wheat Penny Value

Less than 1% of the original proof mintage survives in DCAM. That number tells you everything.

DCAM means the frosted devices look brilliantly white against fields that resemble a black mirror—a more dramatic version of the CAM effect. The Mint achieved this by bathing dies in a solution of 95% alcohol and 5% nitric acid, creating delicate frost on the raised design. The fields were then polished to a mirror finish. After just a few dozen strikes, the frost was gone.

A PR69 DCAM example brought $50,400. An NGC-graded coin sold in 2022 for $5,750. Only one coin has been certified PR69 DCAM by PCGS, and one by NGC. If you find a true DCAM in a proof set you picked up at an estate sale, you’ve hit the jackpot.

Auction results for this ultra-rare variety:

Market demand over the past year:

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Rare 1958 Wheat Penny Error List

The 1958 errors are some of the most sought-after in the entire Lincoln cent series. Here’s what to look for and how to tell the real deal from wishful thinking.

1. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Error

A DDO happens when the hub strikes the working die more than once with a slight misalignment. Every coin from that die carries the doubled image.

The 1958 DDO is a monster rarity. Only three examples exist, all certified by PCGS. According to the 2009 Fifth Edition of the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties, the known specimens came directly or indirectly from a Philadelphia Mint employee. None have ever turned up in circulation, coin bags, or BU rolls. John Wexler first published the variety in his book The Lincoln Cent Doubled Die in 1983 or 1984.

It’s classified as FS-101 in the Cherrypickers’ Guide—a Class I Rotated Hub type, same class as the famous 1955 and 1972 doubled dies. Look for clear, raised doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.” True doubled die doubling is raised and rounded. Machine doubling is flat and shelf-like—and worth nothing extra.

The three known examples: an MS65 RD sold for $1,136,250 at GreatCollections in January 2023 (the finest known), and two MS64 RD examples (one sold for $336,000 at Stack’s Bowers in March 2018). All three are pedigreed to specific collections.

2. 1958-D Wrong Planchet Error (Struck on Cuban Centavo Planchet)

This one’s a head-scratcher. Some 1958-D pennies were struck on Cuban one centavo planchets instead of standard U.S. cent blanks. The Cuban planchet is smaller and lighter—about 2.45 grams versus the normal 3.11 grams. You’ll notice missing lettering near the rim because the planchet couldn’t fill the die completely.

One documented example was struck on a defective Cuban planchet that had been improperly annealed, leaving gray patches on the surface. NGC graded it MS63, and it sold for over $1,700. Heritage Auctions has recorded at least nine such examples.

Got a 1958-D that feels light? Weigh it. Anything significantly under 3.11 grams deserves professional authentication.

3. 1958 Off-Center Strike Error

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet isn’t seated properly between the dies. You get a shifted design with a blank crescent of unstruck metal on one side.

A 1958 Philadelphia penny struck about 20% off-center has been documented. Value depends on two things: how far off-center, and whether the date is fully visible. Strikes of 10–25% off-center with a readable date sell for $20 to $75. Dramatic 50%+ examples with a visible date can top $150. No date? Much less desirable.

4. 1958 DDR (Doubled Die Reverse) Error

The obverse DDO gets all the headlines, but a Doubled Die Reverse variety exists too. The doubling shows up on the wheat stalks, “ONE CENT,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

These typically sell between $25 and $150 depending on doubling strength and grade. Mint State examples can push higher. Grab a 10× loupe and examine the wheat stalk details and denomination closely.

5. 1958 BIE Die Break Error

This is a fun one. A vertical die crack develops between the “B” and “E” in “LIBERTY,” creating what looks like an extra letter “I.” That’s where the name comes from.

It’s caused by natural die deterioration. The crack fills with metal during striking, leaving a small raised line. BIE errors from 1958 go for $5 to $25 circulated. Strong, well-defined examples in higher grades can bring $40 or more. They’re a great entry point for new error collectors.

6. 1958 Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) Error

On 1958-D pennies, you might spot a “ghost” D slightly offset from the main mint mark. During this era, mint marks were hand-punched into each working die individually. Sometimes the punch landed slightly off on the second or third try.

RPM errors are perfect for beginners. Minor varieties sell for $5 to $50. Strong, dramatic repunching can bring $100 to $500. Look north, south, east, and west of the primary D for any trace of a secondary impression.

Also Read: 42 Rare Penny Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Where To Sell Your 1958 Wheat Penny

Picking the right venue matters—especially if you’re sitting on a potential rarity versus a common circulated piece.

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

 

1958 Wheat Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1958 Wheat Penny Value

1. What is a 1958 wheat penny worth today?

Most circulated examples run 5 to 25 cents. A Good (G-4) coin brings about 5 to 10 cents. Extra Fine (EF-45) gets you around 14 cents. Uncirculated MS-60 is worth about $0.34. Top-grade MS-67 Red examples can hit $450 or more, and proof coins graded PR65 have sold for over $5,000.

2. How do I know if my 1958 penny is from Philadelphia or Denver?

Look right below the date on the front. A small “D” means Denver. No letter at all means Philadelphia—Philly cents never carried a mint mark during the wheat era. No 1958 wheat pennies came from San Francisco, so you’ll only find two varieties in business strikes.

3. What makes the 1958 DDO penny worth over $1 million?

Three exist. That’s it. All three are certified by PCGS.

The doubling happened during die production when the hub stamped the working die with a slight misalignment, creating clearly visible doubled lettering on “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.” No examples have ever surfaced in circulation. Experts believe all three came from inside the Philadelphia Mint, which adds a layer of mystery to an already extreme rarity.

4. What does RD, RB, or BN mean on a 1958 wheat penny?

These describe the copper color. RD (Red) means 95%+ original bright copper—most valuable. RB (Red-Brown) means between 5% and 95% red remains. BN (Brown) means the coin has fully toned. An MS65 RD can be worth 3 to 5 times more than the same coin graded MS65 BN.

5. What is the difference between a CAM and DCAM proof 1958 penny?

CAM (Cameo) shows noticeable contrast between frosted raised devices and mirror-like fields. DCAM (Deep Cameo) takes it further—brilliantly white frost against fields that look like a black mirror.

DCAM examples are much rarer because the frosting wore off dies after only a few dozen strikes. Less than 1% of 1958 proof coins survive as true DCAM examples.

6. Are 1958 wheat pennies still found in circulation?

Extremely rare, but not impossible. Most were pulled from circulation in 1958–1959 when the design change was announced. Your best bet is old coin jars, estate sales, or antique shops. Coin roll hunting occasionally turns one up, but it happens less and less.

7. How can I tell if my 1958 penny has a doubled die error?

Grab a 10× loupe. Look at “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY” on the obverse. Genuine doubled die doubling is raised and rounded—you’ll see each letter almost twice in slightly different positions.

Machine doubling looks flat and shelf-like. It adds zero value. If you think you have a true DDO, get it authenticated by PCGS or NGC before celebrating. Fakes and misidentified coins are common for this variety.

8. What other errors exist on the 1958-D wheat penny besides the DDO?

Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) errors are the most accessible—look for a ghost “D” offset from the main mint mark. These add $5 to $500 depending on strength.

Wrong planchet errors also exist, including examples struck on Cuban one centavo planchets. Those weigh about 2.45 grams instead of the standard 3.11 grams and show weak or missing rim lettering. At least nine Heritage Auctions-recorded examples have sold for over $1,700 each in higher grades.

9. Should I clean my 1958 wheat penny to make it look better?

Never. Cleaning destroys the natural patina and leaves hairline scratches visible under magnification. PCGS and NGC will flag cleaned coins with “details” grades, which tanks resale value. A naturally brown penny is always worth more than a cleaned shiny one.

10. What is the most expensive wheat penny ever sold?

The all-time record for any wheat penny is a 1943-D bronze (copper) cent that sold for $840,000 in 2021, graded MS64 Brown.

Within the 1958 series, the DDO holds the crown. The finest known example—graded PCGS MS65 RD—sold on January 22, 2023, at GreatCollections for $1,136,250, making it the first Lincoln cent ever to crack the one-million-dollar mark at auction.