By Steven Cochran
Published: April 28, 2022
Updated: May 19, 2022
Table Of Contents:
Table Of Contents:
1982 was a big year for the Lincoln cent. After years of experimenting with cheaper alternatives to the 95% copper alloy used to make pennies, the US Mint changed to a zinc coin with an extremely thin coating of copper.
To make things even more interesting for coin collectors, the Mint introduced a modified obverse design halfway through the year. Among other things, they made the date smaller. This resulted in seven different versions of the 1982 Lincoln penny, not counting the proof bronze 1982-S cent from the San Francisco Mint.
Proof 1982-S Lincoln penny. Image: USA CoinBook
Seven Varieties of 1982 Lincoln Cents
Both bronze and clad 1982 Lincoln cents were produced with small dates and large dates. The Denver Mint was the only Mint branch that moved from bronze to clad zinc coin blanks before receiving the new “small date” dies.
- Philadelphia Large Date Bronze
- Philadelphia Large Date Clad
- Philadelphia Small Date Bronze
- Philadelphia Small Date Clad
- Denver Large Date Bronze
- Denver Large Date Clad
- Denver Small Date Clad
Your 1982 penny value is going to be based mainly on whether the coin is made of bronze or is the more common clad coin variety.
There’s a hidden secret in the Philadelphia Mint Lincoln cent mintage numbers from 1982. Both the West Point and San Francisco Mints assisted in penny production that year, but their cents did not include mint marks. This makes them indistinguishable from Philadelphia issues.
1982 Lincoln Memorial cent (Large Date). Image: USA CoinBook
DID YOU KNOW?
“Bronze” Lincoln cents from 1962 to 1982 were actually brass! The US Mint removed the zinc from the 95% copper alloy in 1962 due to high zinc prices.
1982-S Proof Lincoln Cents
The plan in 1982 was for the San Francisco Mint to use the new zinc-core blanks to make Lincoln cents for the 1982 proof sets. Mint officials were forced to use the old 95% copper coin blanks instead. The powerful coin presses used to make proof coins were cutting completely through the copper cladding on the new blanks, exposing the zinc core beneath.
The problem was solved in 1983 by adding extra copper cladding to the zinc-core Lincoln cent blanks destined for making proof cents.
Why Did The Mint Stop Using Copper To Make Pennies?
High copper prices in the 1970s meant that the copper content in a Lincoln cent was worth more than one cent. One early replacement plan was to make pennies from aluminum. This idea made it all the way to Congress. The Mint was so sure that they would get approval for the change that they struck a million and a half 1974 aluminum Lincoln cents. Unfortunately, an alliance of copper and vending machine lobbyists sank the plan.
Copper prices fell during the late 1970s as the world reeled from a recession caused by the Arab Oil Embargo. But by 1980 prices were high enough to force the Mint to once again search for alternative materials for the cent. They settled on a zinc coin with a thin copper cladding. Although the zinc core, copper-clad cents had the same size and appearance as the copper coins, they were notably lighter: 2.5 grams compared to the 3.11 grams of the old coin.
The 1982-D Small Date Bronze Lincoln Cent
In 2016, nearly 35 years after the transition to the “Zincoln,” a sharp-eye collector discovered something that wasn’t supposed to exist: a 1982-D bronze Lincoln cent with the “small date” obverse! The coin was certified in 2017 by NGC, which graded it AU58, just a whisper shy of Mint State. It sold for $18,800 in a 2017 Stack’s Bowers auction.
1982-D Lincoln Memorial penny. Image: USA CoinBook
The discovery of a second 1982-D bronze cent was announced in May 2019, when it was placed in a Heritage auction. This coin fetched $10,800. The original coin went up for auction a second time in September the same year, and only brought $8,400.
The 1982-D bronze Lincoln cent is considered a transitional error by the grading services, instead of a new variety. They were apparently created when bronze planchets stuck in a hopper in the Denver Mint worked loose and joined the millions of clad blanks being fed into the presses. While more 1982-D bronze small date Lincoln cents may be discovered in the future, it did take 35 years for the first one to appear.
Large Date vs. Small Date 1982 Cents
It may be difficult to distinguish a Large Date 1982 penny from a Small Date one if you don’t have two to compare side-by-side. Yet there are some visible differences.
Large Date vs. Small Date comparison. Image: USA Coinbook
As this image from USA Coinbook illustrates, the tops and bottoms of the 1, 8, and 2 line up on the small date, but not the large date. Other markers to tell if your 1982 cent is a small or large date:
The top loop of the 8 is much smaller than the bottom loop on the small date. They are nearly even on the large date.
The diagonal part of the 2 is straight on the large date, but curves down to meet the foot of the 2 on the small date.
The foot on the 2 on the small date is flat, but the foot of the 2 on the large date coins is slanted.
The switch to the copper-clad zinc core cents in 1982 triggered massive hoarding of old Lincoln cents for their copper value. A lot of those pennies eventually made it back into circulation. If you’re lucky, maybe you will run across a small date 1982-D copper cent in a roll of pennies one day!
For other rare and valuable one-cent coins, check our countdown of the Ten Most Valuable Pennies.
Read more information about the Lincoln penny and collecting U.S. coins:
1943 Steel Penny Value: How Much They Are Worth Now
1944 Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Guide
2009 Lincoln Penny Value: Bicentennial Cents
What Are the Different Penny Erros and How Much Are They Worth?
Indian Head Penny Key Dates
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As a seasoned numismatist with a profound passion for coin collecting, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Over the years, I've delved deep into the intricate details of various coin series, and the 1982 Lincoln cent, with its unique variations and historical context, is a subject close to my heart.
The article by Steven Cochran, published on April 28, 2022, and updated on May 19, 2022, discusses the significant changes in the production of the Lincoln cent in 1982. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts covered in the article:
-
Introduction of Zinc Coin with Copper Coating (1982):
- The US Mint transitioned from the traditional 95% copper alloy to a zinc coin with a thin coating of copper in 1982.
- This change was a response to the high copper prices in the 1970s, making the copper content in a Lincoln cent worth more than one cent.
-
Seven Varieties of 1982 Lincoln Cents:
- Both bronze and clad (zinc) 1982 Lincoln cents were produced with small dates and large dates.
- The Denver Mint moved from bronze to clad zinc coin blanks before receiving the new "small date" dies.
-
Varieties of 1982 Lincoln Cents:
- Philadelphia Large Date Bronze
- Philadelphia Large Date Clad
- Philadelphia Small Date Bronze
- Philadelphia Small Date Clad
- Denver Large Date Bronze
- Denver Large Date Clad
- Denver Small Date Clad
-
Hidden Secret in Minting Numbers:
- The Philadelphia Mint Lincoln cents from 1982, assisted by the West Point and San Francisco Mints, did not include mint marks, making them indistinguishable from Philadelphia issues.
-
1982-S Proof Lincoln Cents:
- The San Francisco Mint intended to use new zinc-core blanks for the 1982 proof sets but had to use the old 95% copper coin blanks due to technical issues.
- In 1983, extra copper cladding was added to the zinc-core Lincoln cent blanks for making proof cents.
-
Transition to Zinc Coin and Copper Cladding:
- The article provides historical context on why the Mint stopped using copper to make pennies, citing high copper prices in the 1970s.
- The Mint settled on a zinc coin with a thin copper cladding, resulting in a lighter coin compared to the older copper version.
-
Discovery of 1982-D Small Date Bronze Lincoln Cent:
- In 2016, a collector discovered a 1982-D bronze Lincoln cent with the "small date" obverse, challenging the expected existence of such a coin.
- This coin was considered a transitional error and was certified by NGC in 2017.
-
Distinguishing Large Date vs. Small Date 1982 Cents:
- The article explains visible differences between large date and small date 1982 pennies, such as variations in the loops and angles of specific numerals.
-
Hoarding of Old Lincoln Cents:
- The shift to copper-clad zinc core cents in 1982 led to massive hoarding of old Lincoln cents for their copper value.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the variations, historical context, and collecting nuances associated with the 1982 Lincoln cent, making it a valuable resource for both novice and seasoned coin collectors.