The 1958 Lincoln Cent and its Denver-minted counterpart, the 1958-D Lincoln Wheat Cent, marked the final production year of Victor David Brenner’s original penny design.
As had become typical since 1950, the Denver Mint produced a significantly higher quantity of these one-cent coins than the Philadelphia Mint. Specifically, Denver struck 800,953,300 of the 1958-D Lincoln Wheat Cents—a large figure, though not the highest for the series. That distinction still belongs to the 1944 Lincoln Wheat Cent.
In circulated condition, the 1958-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is considered common. These coins are frequently discovered in “unsearched rolls” and occasionally appear in loose change. Today, almost seven decades after their final mintage, Wheat Cents have largely disappeared from daily use. This decline is partly attributed to the Mint’s 1982 shift in composition, replacing the bronze cent with a copper-plated zinc version, which made the older cents less prevalent in circulation.
Individually, circulated examples of this coin generally fetch less than one dollar. However, certified Mint State Red coins, particularly those in Gem condition with vibrant red luster, can sell for $20 or more. Recent eBay transactions for original bank-wrapped rolls of these coins show that collectors are paying between $20 and $30 for 50-coin rolls, reflecting steady demand for high-grade rolls.
Susan Morgan recently explored one of these bank-wrapped rolls from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco in a video. The aim was to see if these old rolls still contain coins with exceptional color and condition that could be worth a premium.
At the high end of the market, the 1958-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is seen as one of the more readily available dates in the Wheat Cent series. While record-setting prices above $2,000 have been achieved for top-graded coins, values drop sharply even one or two grading points lower—often to below the cost of professional grading and submission. For example, a brilliant red NGC MS66RD coin (#6588604-057) sold for only $20.50 on April 29, 2024, proving how narrow the premium margin can be.
Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens
Since 2019, the PCGS count for MS67+RD graded coins has doubled, and the NGC population of MS68RD coins has increased from two to four since May 2023. As of June 2025, PCGS has added two new MS67+RD coins to its registry. Meanwhile, CAC has authenticated 12 coins graded MS67 since November 2024.
Top-graded specimens include PCGS MS67+RD (population 38, as of June 2025), NGC MS68RD (population 4, as of June 2025), and CAC-certified MS67RD (58 total, including 12 with stickers, recorded in November 2024).
A few standout examples in the marketplace include:
NGC MS68RD #6352386-002: Sold for $1,920 by Heritage Auctions on May 4, 2023 (Lot 3613). Notable for intersecting vertical and diagonal scratches on Lincoln’s shoulder.
PCGS MS67+RD CAC #48300274: Sold for $3,600 by Heritage Auctions on January 16, 2025 (Lot 4679) as part of “The Whispering Pines Collection.” Features include a deep diagonal scratch in Lincoln’s hair and a small carbon spot near his lip and the number 8.
PCGS MS67+RD #50397082: This coin brought in $2,040 at Stack’s Bowers on August 15, 2024 (Lot 4473). It was struck using worn dies, with a small mark beneath the B in LIBERTY and a clogged top loop on the B. The bottom of the E in PLURIBUS is also weakly impressed.
PCGS MS67+RD CAC #60144567: A part of “The Bender Collection,” this coin was sold via GreatCollections on April 16, 2023 (Lot 1249246). It also features the Bender Collection name on its insert.
PCGS MS67+RD CAC #38204017: Previously auctioned by GreatCollections on November 3, 2019 (Lot 693198) and by Heritage on June 20, 2021 (Lot 7065) for $2,760. It boasts a rich red tone with a noticeable nick on the O in ONE.
PCGS MS67+RD #39491822: Brought $1,527.50 through Legend Rare Coin Auctions on October 8, 2020 (Lot 54).
PCGS MS67+RD CAC #37570792: Heritage Auctions sold this one for $1,560 on August 9, 2020 (Lot 7066).
PCGS MS67+RD #37838806: Sold for $2,880 by Heritage Auctions on January 8, 2020 (Lot 3248).
PCGS MS67+RD CAC #22027908: This example fetched $2,100 through Heritage Auctions on December 6, 2019 (Lot 3559).
PCGS MS67+RD CAC #31717477: Initially sold by Heritage on December 4, 2015 (Lot 3617) for $1,645, it later fetched $3,360 as part of “The Jerald L. Martin Collection” on January 10, 2019 (Lot 4124), and $2,880 in another Heritage auction on June 7, 2019 (Lot 3512).
PCGS MS67+RD #37772069: This coin sold for $1,440 via Stack’s Bowers on May 23, 2019 (Lot 190).
PCGS MS67+RD CAC #81640779: Achieved a price of $2,232.50 at Heritage Auctions on October 4, 2016 (Lot 3498).
PCGS MS67+RD CAC #25276439: Sold for $2,585 at Heritage Auctions on September 5, 2014 (Lot 3741).
PCGS MS67+RD #25365286: This coin traded hands for $1,938.75 at Heritage Auctions on January 8, 2014 (Lot 3594), and later appeared in a GreatCollections sale on February 9, 2020 (Lot 799679).
Coin Specifications
Country: United States of America
Year Of Issue: 1958
Denomination: One Cent (USD)
Mint Mark: D (Denver)
Mintage: 800,953,300
Alloy: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Weight: 3.11 g
Diameter: 19.00 mm
Edge: Plain
OBV Designer: Victor David Brenner
REV Designer: Victor David Brenner
Quality: Business Strike
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