A single 1958-D nickel sold for $15,188 — all because of six unbroken steps on the back. Most 1958 nickels are worth a few cents. A handful with the Full Steps designation are worth thousands. This guide shows you exactly how to tell the difference.
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Go to Calculator →The Full Steps designation is the single biggest value driver on a 1958 nickel. Use this section to determine whether your coin may qualify.
Values below are based on current market data. For a complete step-by-step 1958 nickel identification walkthrough, see this detailed 1958 nickel guide from CoinValueApp. Proof values assume standard mirror finish unless noted.
| Variety | Worn / Circ. | About Unc. | Unc. MS-65 | Gem MS-66+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-P (No Mint Mark) | $0.05 – $0.10 | ~$0.25 | ~$51 | $390 – $575 |
| 1958-P Full Steps ★ | N/A | N/A | ~$292 | $2,280 – $13,513 |
| 1958-D (Denver) | $0.05 – $0.10 | ~$0.25 | ~$12 | $60 – $625 |
| 1958-D Full Steps ⚑ | N/A | N/A | ~$30 | $400 – $15,188 |
| 1958-D RPM-005 (D/Inv. D) | ~$200 | ~$200+ | Specialist market | Specialist market |
| 1958 Proof (Standard) | — | — | $7 – $25 (PR-65/67) | $27 – $110 (PR-68/69) |
| 1958 Proof Cameo | — | — | $30 – $70 (PR-67) | $900 – $1,155 |
| 1958 Proof Deep Cameo | — | — | $150 – $200 | $8,000+ |
| Wrong Planchet Error | $515 – $1,200+ | Depends on planchet type; Cuban centavo most valuable | ||
| Off-Center Strike (50%+) | $100 – $370 | Higher percentage off-center = higher value | ||
★ Signature variety — highlighted gold. ⚑ All-time auction record holder — highlighted red. N/A = Full Steps only applies in Uncirculated condition.
📱 CoinKnow is a fast way to snap a photo of your 1958 nickel's reverse and instantly compare the step definition against graded examples — a coin identifier and value app.
The 1958 nickel series rewards careful inspection. Below are the six most significant varieties and errors, ranked by collectible impact. Each can add substantially to the base value of an otherwise common coin. A 10× loupe and a postal scale are your most important tools.
The Full Steps designation is awarded by PCGS and NGC when five or six complete, unbroken step lines are visible at the base of Monticello on the reverse. It reflects exceptional die sharpness and planchet quality at the moment of striking. For the 1958 Philadelphia issue, this combination almost never occurred — the mint produced the year's nickels with worn dies and poor planchet preparation.
To identify a Full Steps coin, examine the lowest band on the Monticello base under a 10× loupe. Each horizontal line must run continuously across the full width without fading, merging with an adjacent line, or showing a strike flat. Any break or blur disqualifies the coin. The step area on the Philadelphia issue tends to exhibit a soft, mushy texture even on technically uncirculated examples.
The premium is extraordinary for the 1958-P: NGC has certified only 47 coins with five Full Steps and zero with six. PCGS records show the finest known 1958-P FS at MS-66+FS, which sold for $13,513 in December 2019 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions. A Heritage Auctions sale in October 2025 brought $2,280 for a PCGS MS-66 FS example — confirming ongoing strong demand.
The RPM-005 variety — catalogued as FS-501 in the Cherrypicker's Guide — occurred when a mint mark punch was first applied to the working die in the normal orientation, then applied a second time upside-down. In 1958 and earlier, mint marks were punched by hand into working dies, making such errors possible. The result is a secondary D impression whose curved serifs appear rotated 180° relative to the primary mark.
Identification requires magnification. Look at the lower-right area of the D mint mark for a curved metal flow that does not align with a normal D shape. The right side of the inverted D protrudes outward from the left side of the primary letter. The metal from the invert starts below the top serif, curves outward, and thins downward. At the halfway point there is often a small break before continuing to the lower serif.
This is the most collectible die variety for the 1958 series. Circulated examples are valued at around $200, a substantial premium over the base nickel value. The variety is catalogued by CONECA as RPM-005 (D over Inverted D) and appears in the Variety Vista Jefferson Nickel RPM reference. Note: some experts have questioned the authenticity of this variety; always seek attribution from a reputable dealer or grading service.
Wrong planchet errors occur when a coin blank intended for a different denomination — or in rare cases, a foreign coin — passes through the nickel press. The 1958 Philadelphia issue has a notably higher incidence of this error type, possibly related to quality control lapses at the mint that year. The rarest and most prized example is a 1958 nickel impression struck on a Cuban 1 centavo planchet.
Primary identification is by weight: a standard 1958 Jefferson nickel weighs 5.00 grams. A Cuban centavo planchet weighs approximately 2.5 grams — exactly half. The coin will also be visibly smaller in diameter and exhibit a different metallic composition and color. An ANACS AU-58 example struck on a dime planchet shows the nickel design truncated by the narrower flan. A PCGS-certified example struck on a one-cent planchet received a Brown designation due to the copper composition.
Auction results confirm strong demand: a 1958 nickel on a Cuban centavo planchet sold for over $1,200; an AU-58 on a dime planchet realized $660; and a cent-planchet example brought $515. Values escalate with grade and the exoticism of the host planchet — foreign planchet strikes command the highest premiums within this error category.
An off-center strike occurs when the planchet is not properly centered between the dies at the moment of striking, causing the design to be impressed off to one side. The result is a blank crescent-shaped area along one portion of the rim, while the opposite edge may appear normal or slightly expanded. The degree of misalignment is measured as a percentage of the coin's total diameter.
Visual identification is straightforward: look for an area of completely bare metal along one side of the coin where no design was struck. Minor off-center errors (5–10%) add only modest premiums of around $10–$15. The value escalates rapidly with the percentage of misalignment. Critically, date retention is a major price factor — coins that are dramatically off-center but still show the full date and mint mark command significantly higher prices.
At 50% or more off-center with the date still visible, values reach $100 or more. A documented 1958-D nickel with a 75% off-center strike sold for $370 at auction, confirming the demand for extreme examples. A second strike at 85% off-center is also known and would rank among the most dramatic 1958 error coins documented.
A doubled die error on the 1958 nickel results from the working die being hubbed twice at slightly different positions or angles during die preparation at the mint. Each subsequent striking from that die produces a coin with the doubled impression baked in — distinguishing true doubled die errors from post-mint damage like mechanical doubling or die wear. Both obverse (DDO) and reverse (DDR) doubled dies are documented for 1958.
The most common locations for doubling on 1958 nickels are the inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST on the obverse, and MONTICELLO and FIVE CENTS on the reverse. Jefferson's eye and ear are also check points. True hub doubling shows a shelf or secondary image with squared-off edges; mechanical doubling (not collectible) shows a flattened, smeared secondary image. Multiple proof DDR varieties are catalogued by Brian's Variety Coins (WDDR-001 through WDDR-003), primarily affecting the reverse inscriptions.
Most 1958 doubled die errors are subtle Class II (distorted hub) varieties that add modest premiums of $10–$15 for very minor examples. More pronounced doubling — particularly on the obverse legends — can attract $25–$50. The documented proof doubled dies, including WDDO-001 (obverse, IN GOD), sell for approximately $20 among specialists. No major dramatic doubled die comparable to the 1955 or 1969-S cent has been identified for this date.
The 1958 proof nickel was struck at Philadelphia from highly polished dies, producing coins with mirror-like fields. However, in the earliest strikes from each fresh die pair, the raised design elements — Jefferson's portrait and Monticello — retained a distinctive frost from the die preparation process. This frost against mirror fields creates the Cameo contrast. The deepest version, Deep Cameo (DCAM at PCGS, Ultra Cameo at NGC), occurs only on the very first coins struck from a new die before the frost wears away.
Deep Cameo proofs display stark black-mirror fields contrasting with thick, snow-white frosted devices. The appearance is visually arresting and qualitatively different from standard proofs. Because the frost degrades rapidly under repeated striking stress, only a handful of coins per die pair achieve DCAM status. NGC certified just nine 1958 proof nickels as PF Ultra Cameo across all submissions — confirming extreme rarity. The PR-68 DCAM has sold for over $8,000; the all-time record sits at $10,869 for a PR-69 DCAM at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in September 2021.
Standard 1958 proof nickels (no cameo) in PR-67 are common and worth only $18–$25. The value cliff between a flat-looking PR-67 and a deep-contrast PR-68 DCAM is dramatic — nearly 400 times. A PR-68 standard proof is worth about $30; the same grade with DCAM surfaces commands over $8,000. Any collector holding a 1958 proof with strong device frost should have it evaluated by PCGS or NGC immediately.
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| Mint / Issue | Mint Mark | Mintage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Business Strike | None | 17,088,000 | Low mintage but plagued by weak strikes, dark planchets; 6FS unknown |
| Denver Business Strike | D | 168,249,120 | Highest Denver output to date; best average strike quality of the two mints |
| Philadelphia Proof | None (Mirror) | 875,652 | Part of 1958 Proof Set; Cameo proofs scarce; DCAM extremely rare (9 known NGC UC) |
| San Francisco | S | 0 | San Francisco Mint closed 1955–1964; no 1958-S coins struck |
| Total (All Issues) | — | 186,212,772 | Combined circulation + proof production |
Heavy to moderate wear on Jefferson's cheekbone and hair curls. Monticello's architectural detail is flat or nearly gone at the triangular pediment. Steps are completely worn smooth — no step lines visible. Value: face value to about $0.10. These coins are common in any quantity.
Only the slightest rub on Jefferson's highest facial points — the cheek and above the eye. Monticello's columns and triangular window area remain sharp. Original luster is present but interrupted across the high points. Steps below Monticello may show 3–4 partial lines. Value: under $0.25 for most examples.
No trace of wear; full original mint luster across the entire surface. Contact marks from bag handling may be present on Jefferson's cheek and field areas. Full Steps designation possible but rare for 1958-P at this level. Values range from under $1 at MS-60 to around $51 at MS-65 for Philadelphia; $12 for Denver at MS-65.
Exceptional luster, minimal contact marks, sharply struck design. At this level the Full Steps designation becomes critical — without FS, MS-66 1958-P coins range from $390–$575. With Full Steps they can exceed $10,000. For the 1958-D, MS-67+ FS is the condition rarity level with only one MS-68 FS known at any price.
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The right venue depends heavily on what you have. A circulated example should go to a different channel than a gem Full Steps coin.
The world's largest numismatic auctioneer. Best for high-grade examples (MS-65+ or PR-67+ DCAM) where competitive bidding can push prices well above guide values. Heritage has sold multiple 1958 nickels at strong prices including MS-66 FS examples in the four-figure range. Minimum lot value requirements apply — not suitable for common circulated examples.
The most liquid marketplace for 1958 Jefferson nickels across all grades. Check recently sold prices for 1958-D nickels on the market to set realistic asking prices before listing. Best suited to mid-grade uncirculated coins (MS-62 to MS-65) and moderate error coins. Use PCGS or NGC certification for anything over $50 — unslabbed claims of Full Steps often go unsupported by buyers.
Immediate cash payout, no fees or wait time. Dealers typically pay 50–70% of retail for common issues, but top specialists in Jefferson nickels may pay closer to market for certified Full Steps pieces. Ask specifically if the dealer specializes in 20th-century type or Jefferson nickels. For circulated examples worth under $1, a coin shop is your most practical option.
The r/Coins and r/CoinSales communities have active collectors who appreciate Jefferson nickel varieties. A well-photographed 1958-D RPM-005 or a dramatic wrong-planchet error will attract genuine interest from specialists. No fees on the community side, though PayPal goods & services fees apply to transactions. Best for unusual errors that need an educated audience.