Numismatists of the time shook their heads at the astonishing number of cents produced during 1918, with yet another new record set at the Philadelphia Mint. What they failed to notice until two or three years later is that Brenner's initials V.D.B. were restored to his cent with this issue, though its new placement was nearly hidden on the truncation of Lincoln's bust. The death of Chief Engraver Charles Barber the year before removed the last objection to their appearance.
Common in all circulated grades, 1918(P) cents are likewise readily available in all but the highest Mint State grades. This is perhaps the first cent since 1910 that may be considered common with full red color, though many of these coins are held to lower MS grades because of spotting, fingerprinting, etc.
Mintage:
Philadelphia | Denver | San Francisco |
288,104,634 | 47,830,000 | 34,680,000 |