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2018

Small Cents · Lincoln Shield Cents · 2010–2026
Regular
Weight2.5 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 4,220,800,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
CompositionCopper-plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)
DesignerVictor D. Brenner
Collector's Key IDCK-842

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About this coinHistory

The 2018 Lincoln Shield cent from the Philadelphia Mint had a mintage of approximately 4.22 billion pieces. Production remained in the multi-billion range that had characterized the mid-2010s, though the total was slightly lower than the peaks of 2015 and 2016. The Philadelphia Mint continued to produce cents without a mintmark on circulation issues, reserving the "P" identifier for special collector products.

The 2018 cent entered circulation during a period of relative stability for the denomination. Congressional debate about the cent's future had quieted, and the Mint continued to fill Federal Reserve orders for billions of one-cent coins annually. The copper-plated zinc composition, adopted in 1982, kept the coin's intrinsic metal value well below its face value, avoiding the hoarding problems that had plagued copper cents in the early 1980s when rising copper prices made melting pennies profitable.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $0.01 $0.01
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $0.01 $0.01
F-12 Fine (F) $0.01 $0.01
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $0.01 $0.01
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $0.01 $0.01
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $0.01 $0.01
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS)
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 2018 Lincoln Shield Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $0.01, rising to roughly $0.01 in About Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 2018 Lincoln Shield Cents were minted?
4,220,800,000 were struck.
What is a 2018 Lincoln Shield Cent made of?
Copper-plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper), weighing 2.5 g.
What is the melt value of a 2018 Lincoln Shield Cent?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 2018 Lincoln Shield Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.