LUSTRE

Lot 029Coin values

1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent

DENVER (D) · 95% COPPER, 5% TIN AND ZINC · 47,830,000 STRUCK

The answer

Worth about $0.14⁠–⁠$1 circulated and $170⁠–⁠$230 in MS-65.

The 1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is a common date from the Denver Mint, with 47,830,000 pieces struck. In circulated grades (G-4 to EF-40) our estimate is $0.14⁠–⁠$1, and a well-preserved MS-65 example is estimated at $170⁠–⁠$230.

1918-DDenver (D)

Catalogue medallion. We do not yet hold a licensed photograph of this exact date and mint, so none is shown rather than one with a different date.

Lincoln cent obverse: Abraham Lincoln facing right
Lincoln wheat cent reverse: ONE CENT between two wheat ears
Design reference 1909 Lincoln cent (wheat), National Numismatic Collection. The date on this photograph is not this issue's date. Public domain, credit US Mint (coin), National Numismatic Collection (photograph by Jaclyn Nash), via Wikimedia Commons.
Mint
Denver (D)
Composition
95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Mintage
47,830,000
Weight and size
3.11 g · 19.05 mm
Designer
Victor David Brenner
RarityCommon
PlentifulRare

Scarcer than 61% of the 140 issues in the Lincoln Wheat series with a recorded mintage. 47,830,000 struck. Mintage is the number struck, not the number that survive.

Value ladder
Varieties to look for

Mint mark position

D and S sit below the date on the obverse. Compare against the date: forged mint marks are common on 1909-S V.D.B., 1914-D and 1931-S.

Color: brown, red-brown, red

Bronze cents tone over time. Uncirculated prices assume red-brown (RB) toning; full red (RD) coins are worth more, brown (BN) coins less.

Strike and surface

Look for sharp wheat lines on the reverse and full detail in Lincoln's jacket. Cleaned cents show hairlines and uneven color.

Questions

About the 1918-D Lincoln Wheat

How much is a 1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent worth?

Lustre's editorial estimate (Oct 2026) is $0.14⁠–⁠$1 for circulated examples (G-4 to EF-40) and $170⁠–⁠$230 in MS-65. These are estimates, not an appraisal or market data. A coin in the grade you hold may sell for less at a dealer, who needs a margin.

What is a 1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent made of?

It is 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc and weighs 3.11 g. At today's metal prices the metal is worth a few cents, so any value comes from collector demand.

How many 1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cents were minted?

47,830,000 were struck at the Denver Mint.

Where is the mint mark on a Lincoln Wheat Cent?

On the obverse, below the date. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark.

Is my 1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent rare?

No. It is a common date. Its value depends mostly on grade, originality and, for this metal, the melt value.

Neighbouring issues

More Lincoln Wheat Cent values

All 142 Lincoln Wheat Cent issues

Sources and method

Where these numbers come from

Lincoln cent, Wikipedia: composition, weight, diameter, edge, designer, mint mark position.

Lincoln wheat cent mintage, Landofcoins.com: mintage by year and mint.

Lincoln cent mintage figures, Wikipedia: mintage cross-check.

Mintage US Coins: Lincoln Wheat Cent, Mountain View Coins: mintage cross-check (totals include Proofs).

Lustre editorial grade-value estimates, Lustre: grade value ranges (estimates, not market data).

gold-api.com spot prices (reference level for estimates), gold-api.com: reference spot prices behind the estimates.

How the estimates are made. Facts reviewed Oct 2026.

Circulated$0.14⁠–⁠$1
Scan your coin