1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent Value
A 1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent is worth roughly $1.75 to $567 depending on its condition. Its intrinsic melt value stands at $0.03 based on spot prices from 2026-06-01 Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.
1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $0.03 |
| Good (G-4) | $1.75 to $2.95 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $2.55 to $4.30 |
| Fine (F-12) | $4.40 to $7.45 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $8.00 to $13.50 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $14.50 to $24.50 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $28.00 to $47.50 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $56.00 to $94.50 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $112 to $189 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $336 to $567 |
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.
What is a 1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent worth right now?
Figure roughly $1.75 as the realistic floor for a damage-free, well-worn 1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, rising steadily through the grades to about $567 for a certified gem. Cleaned or damaged coins trade below these figures, though never below the $0.03 melt floor.
1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent specifications
- Series
- Lincoln Wheat Cent
- Year
- 1926
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 4,550,000
- 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
Flip your 1926 Lincoln Wheat Cent over and locate the "S". On the obverse, below the date on the right side of Lincoln's portrait That single letter separates the San Francisco issue from its siblings and can move the price substantially.
Why the 1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent is worth money
The mintage of 4,550,000 puts the 1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent among the scarcer issues of its series. It is findable, but nice examples take patience, and the market prices that difficulty in.
Few series carry the following that supports the 1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent. The 1955 doubled-die obverse, with its dramatically doubled date and lettering, is the most recognizable mint error ever to reach circulation. A coin that thousands of collectors are actively assembling into sets never lacks for a market.
Summary: the 1926-S Lincoln Wheat Cent is valued between $1.75 and $567 as of 2026-06-13. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.