1918 Lincoln Wheat Cent Value Guide

The 1918 Lincoln Wheat Cent is a cornerstone of early 20th-century American numismatics, featuring Victor David Brenner's iconic portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Struck in bronze during the final year of World War I, this specific issue is highly sought after by collectors looking to complete historical sets of the long-running Wheat Cent series.

What affects the value of 1918 Lincoln Wheat Cent?

• The specific mint mark (none for Philadelphia, 'D' for Denver, or 'S' for San Francisco) located below the date.
• The overall strike quality and level of wear on Lincoln's hair and the lines of the wheat stalks.
• The color designation, with 'Red' (RD) specimens being more valuable than 'Red-Brown' (RB) or 'Brown' (BN) examples.
• The presence of original mint luster, which can push the value toward the higher end of the $10-$50 range.

How to Identify 1918 Lincoln Wheat Cent?

• Verify the date '1918' is clearly struck on the obverse to the right of Lincoln's bust.
• Check for the 'V.D.B.' initials, which by 1918 were located at the base of Lincoln's shoulder truncation.
• Examine the reverse for two distinct stalks of wheat framing the words 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'.
• Confirm the material is bronze, which should display a natural brown or reddish-brown patina consistent with age.

History of 1918 Lincoln Wheat Cent

The Lincoln Wheat Cent was minted from 1909 to 1958, designed by Victor David Brenner. The obverse features President Abraham Lincoln, while the reverse displays two stalks of wheat, which gives the coin its common name. The 1918 issue is a significant year in the series for collectors.