1982 is the most complex year in modern Lincoln cent history. The U.S. Mint transitioned from 95% copper to copper-plated zinc planchets mid-year, producing seven different varieties: large date and small date in both copper and zinc, from Philadelphia and Denver, plus the unique 1982-D Small Date copper transitional error. Some of these are worth thousands of dollars.
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Scan My CoinThe 1982-D Small Date should only exist in zinc — but a few were accidentally struck on leftover copper planchets. This transitional error is one of the most valuable modern Lincoln cents known.
How to check: Weigh the coin precisely. Copper cents weigh 3.11g; zinc cents weigh 2.5g. If your 1982-D Small Date weighs 3.11g, you may have a five-figure rarity.
$10,000 - $30,000+Both date sizes were used in 1982. Differences are subtle but distinct: the Large Date has a bolder 2 with a flat tail; the Small Date has a thinner 2 with a curved tail.
How to check: Compare the curve of the 2 and the position of the date relative to the rim. Reference photos help identify each variety.
$1 - $50Doubling visible on IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, or the date caused by hub misalignment during die manufacture.
How to check: Use a 10x loupe on the lettering and date for shadow doubling or shelf-like splits.
$25 - $300The blank was not properly seated when struck, producing a coin with part of the design missing and a blank crescent.
How to check: Look for an obviously uncentered design. 50%+ off-center with a full date is most valuable.
$10 - $200+Occasionally struck on dime planchets or foreign planchets that ended up in the press by mistake.
How to check: Weigh and measure. A penny on a dime planchet weighs 2.27g and is silver-colored.
$200 - $2,500The 1982-D Small Date copper transitional error is the rarest. Only a handful are known, and confirmed examples sell for $10,000 to $30,000+ at major auctions.
Weigh it on a precise gram scale. Copper 1982 pennies weigh 3.11g; zinc-core pennies weigh 2.5g. The 0.6g difference is easy to detect.
Most 1982 pennies are worth face value. The 1982-D Small Date copper, doubled dies, off-center strikes, and wrong-planchet errors carry premiums. Use ErrorHunt to scan your coin and check for these rarities.
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