The 1958 Doubled Die Penny – So Rare, Only a Few Exist

Sometimes, small printing mistakes in coin production can create some of the rarest and most valuable coins in the world. One such coin is the 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny. At first glance, it might look like an ordinary old penny, but for sharp-eyed collectors, this coin stands out for one major reason—a rare doubling in its lettering. Only a few confirmed examples exist today, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after error coins in U.S. history. If you’re lucky enough to find one, it could be worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Let’s explore what makes this penny so valuable and how to spot a genuine one.

Coin Name: 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1958 Doubled Die Penny was created during a small mistake at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. In coin production, a die is the metal tool used to stamp the design onto a blank coin. During the process of making the die for this penny, a doubling error occurred, causing the letters in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” to appear doubled on some coins. Unlike many other doubled die errors that have hundreds or thousands of surviving examples, the 1958 version is ultra-rare. So far, only 3 confirmed coins with this doubling error are known to exist. All of them were found in uncirculated condition, which means they were likely pulled from freshly minted rolls before going into circulation.

This error coin features the traditional Wheat reverse design, which was used from 1909 to 1958, with Lincoln’s portrait on the front. It was the final year of the wheat cent before the design changed to the Lincoln Memorial in 1959, which adds even more historical value to this piece.

Why the 1958 Doubled Die Penny Is So Valuable

There are several reasons why this coin is so valuable among collectors:

• Incredibly rare – Only three known examples have been confirmed.
• Clear and strong doubling – The doubling on this coin is bold and easy to see with the naked eye.
• Historical significance – It was the last year of the Wheat Penny design.
• High demand – Error coin collectors and Lincoln cent enthusiasts compete to own even one of these.

Because of its rarity and condition, one of the known examples sold for over $336,000 at auction. That makes it one of the highest-valued Lincoln cents ever.

How to Identify the 1958 Doubled Die Penny

Spotting a real 1958 Doubled Die Penny takes careful attention. Here’s what to look for:

• Doubling on the front: The most visible doubling appears in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The letters appear to have a “shadow” or double strike effect.
• No mint mark: All 1958 Doubled Die Pennies were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which did not use a mint mark.
• Wheat reverse: The reverse side features two wheat ears and the words “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
• Uncirculated condition: All known examples were found in pristine, mint condition, with full red luster.

It’s important to remember that many fakes and altered coins exist. If you believe you’ve found one, get it professionally graded and authenticated by companies like PCGS or NGC.

Table: Quick Facts – 1958 Doubled Die Penny

Feature	Description
Year	1958
Mint	Philadelphia (No mint mark)
Known Examples	Only 3 confirmed
Doubling Appears On	“LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”
Reverse Design	Wheat ears
Condition of Found Coins	Mint State (Uncirculated)
Highest Sale Price	$336,000+

The 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny is more than just a rare coin—it’s a piece of U.S. minting history that was never meant to happen. With only three known examples in the world, it ranks among the rarest and most desirable coins for serious collectors. This small copper coin proves that even tiny errors can lead to huge value. If you have a collection of old Lincoln cents, especially uncirculated rolls from 1958, take a close look. That forgotten penny could turn out to be one of the rarest coins ever made—worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and a place in numismatic history.

FAQ’s: