The 1958 doubled-die Lincoln cent is one of the rarest major U.S. varieties — exactly three examples are confirmed (PCGS; Stack’s Bowers), and the finest sold for $1,136,250 in 2023 (Numismatic News).
History
- The 1958 doubled-die obverse was first reported in the early 1980s and appeared as a last-minute addition in the appendix of John A. Wexler’s The Lincoln Cent Doubled Die in 1984. (Numismatic News)
- It is a Class I rotated-hub doubled die — the same class as the famous 1955 and 1972 doubled dies — listed as CONECA 1958 1c DDO-001, FS-101 in the Cherrypickers’ Guide, and Breen-2222. (Numismatic News)
- Only three examples are confirmed. All three are certified by PCGS: two grade MS64RD and one grades MS65RD. (PCGS CoinFacts; Numismatic News)
- Two of the three were once owned by Pennsylvania collector Charles Ludovico, a noted error-variety specialist. (Numismatic News)
- The finest known example — the sole MS65RD, from the Red Copper Collection of Lincoln cents — sold at GreatCollections on January 22, 2023, drawing 117 bids and hammering at $1,136,250 with buyer’s fee, a record for any doubled die sold at auction. (Numismatic News)
- A second example, PCGS MS64RD, sold at Stack’s Bowers’ March 2018 Baltimore Rarities Night for $336,000. (Numismatic News; Stack’s Bowers)
What is it worth
- This is a trophy-asset variety: the two public sales are $336,000 (MS64RD, March 2018) and $1,136,250 (MS65RD, January 2023). (Numismatic News)
- With only three confirmed examples, there is no “market price” — value is whatever the next auction of one of the three realizes. (PCGS CoinFacts)
- Ordinary 1958 Philadelphia cents are worth face value to a few dollars; the doubled-die attribution is everything. (PCGS CoinFacts)
What drives the premium
- Absolute rarity: three confirmed examples, versus hundreds of 1955 doubled dies. (PCGS CoinFacts; Numismatic News)
- Strength of doubling: GreatCollections called the finest “the King of Doubled Dies,” with severe doubling comparable to the 1955. (Numismatic News)
- Grade: the MS65RD finest-known commands a large premium over the two MS64RD examples. (Numismatic News)
- Certification: all three known examples are PCGS-certified; no raw example has ever been confirmed. (PCGS CoinFacts)
How to identify the valuable variety
- Look for strong, clear doubling on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST; the date shows much less doubling. (PCGS CoinFacts)
- Lesser doubling is also visible on Lincoln’s ear, hair details, eyelid, bow tie, and vest folds. (Numismatic News)
- Reported diagnostics include micro-pitting on Lincoln’s portrait and vertical die-polishing lines. (PCGS; Stack’s Bowers)
- Counterfeit warning: any claimed raw 1958 doubled die must be treated as suspect until certified by PCGS or NGC — altered coins and fakes vastly outnumber the three genuine examples. Do not pay a premium without authentication. (PCGS CoinFacts)
Specifications
- Denomination: 1 cent; Mint: Philadelphia (no mint mark)
- Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc (bronze) (PCGS CoinFacts)
- Designer: Victor David Brenner (VDB on obverse) (PCGS CoinFacts)
- Variety: doubled-die obverse, Class I rotated hub (CONECA DDO-001; FS-101; Breen-2222) (Numismatic News)
- Confirmed population: 3 — PCGS: one MS65RD, two MS64RD (PCGS CoinFacts; Stack’s Bowers)
Collector notes
- The 1958 doubled die is missing from all major Lincoln cent collections — even the finest sets lack it. (Numismatic News)
- Cherrypicking one from circulation is a lottery ticket, not a strategy: only three examples have ever been confirmed, and machine doubling (which carries no premium) must not be confused with true hub doubling. (PCGS CoinFacts)
- Study the certified examples’ photos on PCGS CoinFacts before judging any candidate — the doubling on LIBERTY and the motto is dramatic, not subtle. (PCGS CoinFacts)
Market check
See current eBay listings for 1958 doubled-die cents — genuine examples essentially never appear; treat uncertified claims with extreme skepticism. (PCGS CoinFacts) As an eBay Partner, The Coin Wiki may earn from qualifying purchases.
PCGS CoinFacts: 1958 doubled-die obverse cent — population, diagnostics, and certified photos.
Numismatic News: the $1,136,250 record sale — full auction details.
