Lincoln Wheat Cent Series
1948 Lincoln Wheat Cent
History, varieties, and collector guide
1948 overview
The 1948 Lincoln cent is a post‑war bronze Wheat issue from all three mints, Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, in the early years of America’s economic expansion after World War II. Mintages remained high, with about 317,570,000 from Philadelphia, 172,637,500 from Denver, and 81,735,000 from San Francisco.
Most 1948 cents are affordable in circulated grades, but the lower‑mintage 1948‑S and high‑grade red examples from all three mints, along with a robust set of 1948‑D repunched mintmark (RPM) varieties and dramatic strike‑through errors, give collectors plenty of reasons to look closely.
Design and specifications
Design continues Victor D. Brenner’s long‑running Lincoln obverse and Wheat reverse, unchanged from earlier bronze issues.
Key specifications (all 1948 cents),
- Composition, 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc (bronze alloy).
- Weight, 3.11 grams.
- Diameter, 19.00 millimeters.
- Edge, plain.
- Designer, Victor David Brenner.
- Mintmarks, none (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco).
- Right‑facing bust of Abraham Lincoln.
- “IN GOD WE TRUST” across the top, “LIBERTY” to the left, date “1948” to the right.
- Mintmark “D” or “S” below the date for branch‑mint coins.
- “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” in the center.
- Wheat ears along the rim.
- “E PLURIBUS UNUM” at the top.
Strike quality is generally good, with many sharply struck coins surviving from all mints, though as usual, color and surface preservation matter more than strike alone at higher grade levels.
Mintage and basic value ranges
Mintages for 1948 Wheat cents,
- 1948 (Philadelphia, no mintmark), 317,570,000.
- 1948‑D (Denver), 172,637,500.
- 1948‑S (San Francisco), 81,735,000.
These figures make all three issues common in absolute terms, with the San Francisco issue the clear “better” date by mintage and value.
Recent price tables and guides give these general ranges for problem‑free coins,
Across all mints, typical uncirculated 1948 cents often fall in the roughly 2 to 10‑dollar range for common MS60–MS63 pieces, with the multi‑hundred‑dollar and four‑figure territory reserved for the very best MS67 RD and dramatic error coins.
Varieties and errors
1948 is particularly interesting for Denver repunched‑mintmark varieties and for a wide range of strike‑through and other striking errors that can dramatically increase value.
Representative 1948 varieties and errors,
- 1948‑D RPMs,
- Variety Vista documents multiple 1948‑D RPMs, including D/D south (RPM‑001), D/D west (RPM‑002), D/D rotated counterclockwise (RPM‑003 and RPM‑005), and D/D north (RPM‑004).
- Numismatic News also reports a dramatic unlisted 1948‑D D/D RPM with an easily seen secondary D to the east, described as comparable in strength to well‑known RPMs in the Cherrypickers’ Guide, making it a prime cherry‑pick target.
- Strike‑through errors,
- Other errors and varieties,
Most minor RPMs and common errors bring modest premiums in circulated grades, but strongly defined RPMs, major strike‑through errors, and top‑grade red examples attract serious attention from variety and error specialists.
Collecting 1948 cents
Because 1948 is plentiful and affordable, it is an excellent date for new collectors, while serious hobbyists still find it rewarding for high‑grade and variety hunting.
Collecting tips,
- Start with a P‑D‑S set in VF–XF, 1948, 1948‑D, and 1948‑S are all inexpensive in mid‑circulated grades and show subtle differences in strike and color.
- When upgrading to Mint State, focus on color, red‑brown coins often give the best balance between cost and eye appeal, while full red examples deserve their premium when they are truly original and spot‑free.
- Treat 1948‑S as the premium branch‑mint issue, its 81.7‑million mintage and higher MS65–MS67 RD price levels make it the natural “star” of the year.
- Use RPM references when examining Denver cents, the list of 1948‑D RPM‑001 through RPM‑005 plus the dramatic unlisted D/D east variety gives you a concrete checklist for cherry‑picking.
- Consider certification for coin‑show quality red examples, particularly 1948‑S and standout 1948‑D RPMs in MS65 RD and above, where small grade differences can mean substantial price jumps.
A well‑organized 1948 page on your site can show a basic P‑D‑S row, a table of mintage and MS65/MS67 values, and a close‑up of a 1948‑D RPM mintmark alongside a dramatic strike‑through example.
6 fun facts about 1948 cents
- With 317,570,000 coins, the 1948‑P mintage is lower than wartime shell‑casing years but still large enough that 1948 cents continue to show up in bulk Wheat‑cent lots.
- The 81,735,000‑coin 1948‑S mintage is the lowest of the three mints, and top‑graded MS67 RD examples are valued around 500 dollars or more.
- Greysheet’s 1948 price tables show MS RD values ranging up to about 8,750 dollars for the very highest grades, underscoring how sharply prices rise at the top.
- A dramatic 1948‑D D/D RPM discovered by a collector in Ohio is strong enough to be compared with some classic Cherrypickers’ Guide RPMs, yet remains unlisted in many mainstream references.
- Value guides estimate that common 1948 cents in circulated condition usually bring between about 0.10 and 2 dollars, while the best MS67 RD coins can reach several hundred dollars.
- Guidance on 1948 strike‑through errors notes that coins with dramatic objects impressed into the design can be worth 150 dollars or more, far above typical 1948 values.
6 common FAQs about the 1948 Lincoln cent
- Are 1948 wheat pennies rare?
No, all three 1948 issues are common in circulated grades, though 1948‑S has the lowest mintage and all three become much scarcer and more valuable in MS65 RD and above. - How much is a typical 1948 penny worth?
Most circulated 1948 cents sell for about 0.03 to 0.40 dollars, while Mint State pieces in MS65 can range from roughly 5 to 40 dollars depending on mintmark, and the best MS67 RD coins reach into the hundreds. - Which 1948 issue is most desirable in high grades?
In MS65–MS67 RD, 1948‑S usually leads due to its lower mintage and higher price guide levels, followed by choice 1948‑D and 1948‑P red coins. - What varieties should I look for on 1948 pennies?
Collectors mainly hunt 1948‑D RPMs (D/D south, D/D west, D/D rotated, D/D north) and strong strike‑through errors, which can range from modest premiums to 150 dollars or more. - Do 1948 pennies contain any silver or special metal?
No, all 1948 cents were struck from a bronze alloy of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, with no silver content. - Is it worth getting a 1948 penny graded?
Grading is usually only worthwhile for high‑grade red 1948‑S or 1948‑D coins, or for dramatic RPM or error pieces; common circulated examples generally do not justify the cost.
3 quiz questions about 1948 Lincoln cents
- Approximately how many 1948‑S cents did the San Francisco Mint strike?
A) 31,757,000
B) 81,735,000
C) 172,637,500
D) 317,570,000 - Which type of variety is especially associated with 1948‑D cents?
A) Overdate 1948/47
B) D/S over‑mintmark
C) Multiple D/D repunched mintmarks, including south, west, north, and rotated positions
D) Wrong‑planchet steel strike - In MS65, which 1948 issue usually commands the highest price range in modern guides?
A) 1948 (no mintmark)
B) 1948‑D
C) 1948‑S
D) All three are exactly equal
1948 Lincoln Cent, Takeaway
1948 is a steady post‑war Wheat cent year, broadly common and affordable in most grades yet quietly rewarding for collectors who pursue the lower‑mintage 1948‑S, high‑grade red pieces, and a surprisingly rich menu of 1948‑D RPMs and strike‑through errors. For your Lincoln series it highlights how even a non‑key, late‑1940s date can still offer meaningful upside once you factor in mintmark, color, grade, and variety.
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