1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent Value
The 1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent carries a current retail range of about $0.10 to $38.00 across circulated and Mint State grades, and its metal content alone is worth $0.03 as of 2026-06-01 Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.
1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $0.03 |
| Good (G-4) | $0.10 to $0.15 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $0.10 to $0.20 |
| Fine (F-12) | $0.20 to $0.35 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $0.40 to $0.70 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $0.80 to $1.35 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $1.60 to $2.70 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $3.20 to $5.40 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $7.20 to $12.00 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $22.50 to $38.00 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
Current 1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent value
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent starts around $0.10. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $38.00. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent specifications
- Series
- Lincoln Wheat Cent
- Year
- 1912
- Mint mark
- D
- Mintage
- 10,411,000
- Composition
- 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc (bronze); zinc-coated steel in 1943
- Weight
- 3.11 g
- Diameter
- 19.05 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- Victor David Brenner
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Where is the mint mark on a 1912 Lincoln Wheat Cent?
On a 1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent, the "D" mint mark of the Denver Mint sits on the obverse, below the date on the right side of Lincoln's portrait. A loupe helps: on worn examples the letter can fade into the surrounding devices.
What makes the 1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent valuable
Context adds the final layer to the 1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent. The wheat-ear reverse ran for fifty years, spanning two world wars. Owning this date means owning a piece of that story, and demand for the series as a whole sustains liquidity for every issue in it.
The generous mintage of 10,411,000 keeps this date affordable. That availability is an asset for collectors: it is the textbook choice for owning the Lincoln Wheat Cent design without a key-date price tag.
Summary: the 1912-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is valued between $0.10 and $38.00 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.