1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent Value
A 1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is worth roughly $0.10 to $38.00 depending on its condition, with a hard melt-value floor of $0.03 as of 2026-06-01 Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
1918-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.
How much is a 1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent worth today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1918-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.
1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent specifications
- Series
- Lincoln Wheat Cent
- Year
- 1918
- Mint mark
- D
- Mintage
- 47,830,000
- 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 to look for the mint mark
Identifying a 1918-D Lincoln Wheat Cent hinges on one small letter: the "D" of Denver. On the obverse, below the date on the right side of Lincoln's portrait Verify it before pricing the coin, because a 1918 from a different mint can be worth a very different amount.
The value drivers behind this coin
The generous mintage of 47,830,000 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.
There is history in a 1918 Lincoln Wheat Cent as well. The wheat-ear reverse ran for fifty years, spanning two world wars. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.
Summary: the 1918-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.