1926-D Lincoln Wheat Cent Value
A 1926-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is worth roughly $0.10 to $38.00 depending on its condition, and its metal content alone is worth $0.03 as of 2026-06-01 Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.
1926-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 2026-06-13. 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 1926-D Lincoln Wheat Cent worth today?
Start with $0.10 for a heavily circulated 1926-D Lincoln Wheat Cent and work upward. Lightly circulated 1926 examples occupy the middle of the range, while true gems approach $38.00. If your coin has no wear on the high points, it deserves a closer look or a professional opinion.
1926-D Lincoln Wheat Cent specifications
- Series
- Lincoln Wheat Cent
- Year
- 1926
- Mint mark
- D
- Mintage
- 28,020,000
- 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).
How to find the D mint mark
On a 1926-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 collectors pay for in a 1926-D Lincoln Wheat Cent
With 28,020,000 struck, the 1926-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is one of the more available dates of its series. Its value rests on metal content and condition rather than absolute rarity, which makes it an ideal type coin.
Few series carry the following that supports the 1926-D Lincoln Wheat Cent. initials prominently on the reverse, public outcry forced their removal within days, instantly creating the 1909-S VDB, the most famous key date in American numismatics with just 484,000 struck. A coin that thousands of collectors are actively assembling into sets never lacks for a market.
Summary: the 1926-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is valued between $0.10 and $38.00 as of 2026-06-13. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.