The 1958 Lincoln Wheat penny marks the final year of the classic wheat-ear reverse design, struck at the Philadelphia and Denver mints. Designed by Victor David Brenner, the Wheat penny is highly collectible for its agricultural motif, the historic Brenner initials controversy, and a variety of rare errors and high-grade survivors. This guide covers designer information, obverse/reverse details, mintage figures, key proof and special issues, notable rare examples, error varieties, value ranges by mint and grade, auction records, and the coin’s intrinsic metal value.
Key Takeaways
- Designer: Victor David Brenner, first real‐person portrait on U.S. coinage.
- Obverse/Reverse: Lincoln bust with IN GOD WE TRUST, wear-ear reverse with ONE CENT and wheat stalks.
- Mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (“D”). Total mintage: 1,053,478,952 coins plus 875,652 proofs.
- Proofs & Special Issues: 1958 PR coins struck in Philadelphia. Key proof grades range PR63–PR69, values from $10 to $550+.
- Notable Rarities: 1958 DDO (doubled die obverse) – only three known; red MS67 specimens; penny struck on silver dime planchet.
- Error Varieties: Off-center strikes, clipped planchets, repunched mintmarks, overstrikes on foreign planchets.
- Value Ranges: Circulated coins sell for $0.05–$0.20; uncirculated MS60–MS64: $0.35–$2.50; MS65–MS66: $5–$28; MS67+: $250–$336,000.
- Most Valuable Sale: A 1958 D DDO in red MS63 sold for $336,000 in 2018; a 1958 PR69 RD sold for $1.136 million in 2023.
- Intrinsic Value: Composition 95% copper gives melt value around $0.02–$0.03 at current metal prices.
Who Designed the 1958 Wheat Penny?
Victor David Brenner (1871–1924), a Lithuanian-born sculptor and engraver, created the Lincoln portrait obverse in 1909. His initials “VDB” were prominently placed on the reverse rim of the inaugural issues but were removed following public outcry over their size. A small Brenner monogram reappeared in 1918 on Lincoln’s shoulder.
Interesting Facts
- First U.S. coin to bear a real person: Abraham Lincoln.
- Wheat reverse honors America’s agricultural heritage (1909–1958).
- “VDB” controversy led to mint-mark adjustments mid-1909.
- Transition in 1959 to the Lincoln Memorial reverse by Frank Gasparro.
Obverse and Reverse Designs
Obverse
- Portrait: Right-facing Lincoln bust wearing a coat and tie.
- Legends: “IN GOD WE TRUST” above, “LIBERTY” at left, date at right.
- Mint mark (D) beneath the date on Denver issues; none on Philadelphia.
Reverse
- Design: Two stylized wheat stalks along rim edges.
- Center: “ONE CENT” over “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
- “E PLURIBUS UNUM” along top rim.
Which Mints Issued the 1958 Wheat Penny?
Two U.S. mints struck the 1958 Wheat penny:
- Philadelphia (no mint mark): Regular strike and proof issues.
- Denver (“D” mint mark): Regular circulation strike.
Mintage Figures by Mint
| Mint | Issue | Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | Regular (no mint mark) | 252,525,000 |
| Philadelphia | Proof (PR) | 875,652 |
| Denver (D) | Regular | 800,953,300 |
| Total | / | 1,054,353,952 |
Proof and Special Issues
Proof cents were struck at Philadelphia in 1958 using polished dies for collectors. Approximate values by finish and grade:
| Grade | Proof Red & Red-Brown | Proof Brown |
|---|---|---|
| PR 60 | $9.80 | $0.60 |
| PR 63 | $50 | $9.80 |
| PR 65 | $150 | $25 |
| PR 67 | $550+ | $52 |
Notably Rare or Valuable Coins
- 1958 DDO (Denver Doubled-Die Obverse): Only three known; doubling visible in “LIBERTY,” date and motto. MS 60 example valued ~$144,000; MS 63 ~$235,000; one red MS 63 sold for $336,000 (2018).
- 1958 Red MS 67+ RD: Graded by PCGS/NGC; sold for $1,136,000 (2023).
- 1958 PR 69 RD: Finest proof red; auction result $1.136 million.
Notable Error Varieties
| Error Type | Mint Marks | Description | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDO | D | Major doubling on “LIBERTY,” date and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” | $144,000–$336,000+ |
| Off-center Strike | P, D | Die misalignment; 5%–95% off center. | $30–$100+ |
| Clipped Planchet | P, D | Blank planchet improperly cut; crescent-shaped missing edge. | $3–$6 |
| Silver Dime Planchet | P, D | Penny struck on 10 ¢ silver planchet (10% silver). | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Overstrike on Cuba Centavo | P | Lincoln design over foreign planchet; small size and cut-off legends. | $2,000–$4,000 |
| Re-punched Mint Mark | D | “D” punched multiple times on the die. | $7–$12 |
Value Ranges by Mint and Condition
| Condition / Grade | 1958 (P) No Mint Mark | 1958 D (Denver) |
|---|---|---|
| Fine (F) | $0.06 | $0.06 |
| Very Fine (VF) | $0.12 | $0.12 |
| Extra Fine (XF) | $0.14 | $0.14 |
| About Uncirculated (AU) | $0.18 | $0.18 |
| MS 60 | $0.36 | $0.36 |
| MS 63 | $1.22 | $1.22 |
| MS 65 | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| MS 66 | $12.50 | $12.50 |
| MS 67+ | $250–$336,000+ | $250–$336,000+ |
Most Valuable 1958 Wheat Penny Sold at Auction
The record belongs to a 1958 D DDO in red MS 63, which achieved $336,000 at Heritage Auctions in 2018. A separate 1958 PR69 red proof later realized $1.136 million in 2023, becoming the first Lincoln cent to exceed the $1 million mark.
Intrinsic Metal Value
Composed of 95% copper and 5% tin/zinc, each Wheat penny contains approximately 3.11 g of copper (0.11 oz). At current copper prices (~$4.50 per pound), the melt value is around $0.02–$0.03, below face value.