LINCOLN MEMORIAL CENT · TRANSITION YEAR

1982 Penny Value, Varieties & Identification Guide

A 1982 cent can be copper or copper-plated zinc, Large Date or Small Date, Philadelphia or Denver. Start with the mint mark, then weigh the coin before you judge its value.

The regular 1982-D Small Date is zinc and weighs about 2.50 grams. The rare copper-alloy example is a different situation and needs authentication.

Identify your 1982 penny See value context

Specifications and variety distinctions reviewed September 18, 2026

Use the mint mark, weight and date style together. This image is an editorial reference, not an authentication result.

Year1982

DenominationOne Cent

SeriesLincoln Memorial Cent

MintsPhiladelphia / Denver

Mint marksNone / D

Date typesLarge / Small

CompositionsCopper / Zinc

Copper weightAbout 3.11 g

Zinc weightAbout 2.50 g

Diameter19 mm

EdgePlain

DesignersBrenner / Gasparro

Answer first

How Much Is a 1982 Penny Worth?

1982 penny value screening with a scale, loupe and ordinary reference coins — Value starts with the exact type, weight, date style and condition.

Identify the exact combination before comparing a price.

Most 1982 pennies are not rare. Value depends on the mint mark, copper or zinc composition, Large Date or Small Date design, grade, color, surface and any recognized variety or mint error. A date alone cannot identify a premium coin.

PCGS separates the 1982 cents into composition and date-size combinations. NGC describes seven regular circulating combinations and treats the 1982-D Small Date bronze discovery as a mint error rather than a normal eighth issue. That distinction prevents the most common mistake: treating every Small Date Denver cent as rare.

Fast rule: look for the mint mark, weigh the coin, confirm Large Date or Small Date, then assess condition and value.

Value at a glance

Eight combinations to separate

Seven regular circulating combinations plus one rare error category.

1982 Penny Type	Weight	Mint mark	Status	Value context
1982 Copper Large Date	~3.11 g	None	Regular issue	Usually common; grade matters
1982 Copper Small Date	~3.11 g	None	Regular issue	Premium mainly in high grade
1982 Zinc Large Date	~2.50 g	None	Regular issue	Usually common
1982 Zinc Small Date	~2.50 g	None	Regular issue	Usually common
1982-D Copper Large Date	~3.11 g	D	Regular issue	Usually common; grade matters
1982-D Zinc Large Date	~2.50 g	D	Regular issue	Usually common
1982-D Zinc Small Date	~2.50 g	D	Regular issue	Do not confuse with the error
1982-D Copper Small Date	~3.1 g	D	Rare transitional error	Authenticate before assigning value

“Regular issue” does not mean every example has the same value. Grade, color and original surfaces can create large differences among certified coins.

Mint mark → weight → date → condition → value

How to Identify Your 1982 Penny

How to identify a 1982 penny using a scale, loupe and date — Screen the mint mark, weight and date in that order.

Use a non-destructive five-step screen.

1. Mint markNo mark indicates a Philadelphia-type issue. D indicates Denver.

2. WeightAbout 3.11 g suggests the older copper-alloy class. About 2.50 g suggests copper-plated zinc.

3. Date sizeCompare the numerals and the shape of the 2 with a trusted Large Date and Small Date reference.

4. CombineRecord mint, weight and date style as one identification, not as separate guesses.

5. ConditionCheck wear, color, luster, damage and cleaning after the type is known.

6. ValueUse completed sales or a current guide for the exact type and grade.

A scale is more useful than a color test. Copper-plated zinc still has a copper-colored outer surface, while a circulated copper-alloy cent may be dark brown. Do not scratch, cut, heat or otherwise damage the coin to test its composition.

Composition screen

Is My 1982 Penny Copper or Zinc?

1982 copper and copper-plated zinc penny comparison — Color can mislead. Weight is the useful first composition screen.

Weigh it. PCGS lists about 3.11 grams for the bronze or copper-alloy cents and about 2.50 grams for the copper-plated zinc cents. The difference is large enough for a good digital scale to screen most examples.

Weight is evidence, not authentication. Dirt, damage, a weak scale or an altered coin can mislead a quick test. If the coin also has a D mint mark and Small Date, repeat the measurement carefully before seeking professional review.

3.11

Copper-alloy class

Traditional 1982 planchets. They can be normal Philadelphia or Denver combinations depending on mint mark and date style.

2.50

Zinc class

Copper-plated zinc planchets. The regular 1982-D Small Date belongs here, not in the rare error category.

Date diagnostics

1982 Penny Large Date vs Small Date

1982 Lincoln cent Large Date and Small Date comparison — Compare the numeral alignment and the shape of the 2 with a trusted reference.

Compare design alignment, not just apparent size.

On the Large Date, the middle numerals rise higher and the lower stroke of the 2 is more direct. On the Small Date, the tops of the numerals align more closely and the lower part of the 2 has a noticeable curve. Lighting, wear and a small photograph can distort the comparison, so use a side-by-side reference and inspect the complete date.

Feature	Large Date	Small Date
Numeral alignment	Middle numerals sit higher	Numerals align more closely
Shape of 2	More direct descender	Curved lower descender
Use with weight	Still needs composition check	Never assume rare from date alone

Small Date screen

How to Identify a 1982 Small Date Penny

1982 Lincoln cent Small Date comparison reference — Compare the complete date before combining it with mint mark and weight.

Start with the full date. Check the relative height of the digits, their spacing and the shape of the 2. Do not label a coin Small Date because the numerals merely look small in a low-resolution photograph.

A confirmed Small Date still needs a mint-mark and weight check. A no-mint-mark Small Date can be a regular Philadelphia copper or zinc cent. A D Small Date at about 2.50 grams is the regular Denver zinc variety. Only a D Small Date in the copper-alloy weight class becomes a serious transitional-error candidate.

Do not use this shortcut: Small Date does not equal rare. The complete combination is mint mark + weight + date style.

Philadelphia-type cents

1982 Penny With No Mint Mark

1982 Lincoln cents with no mint mark and D mint mark — No mint mark is a normal Philadelphia-type feature, not an automatic error.

No mint mark is normal.

A 1982 cent with no mint mark is associated with Philadelphia production and is not automatically a missing-mint-mark error. Four main Philadelphia combinations are collected: copper Large Date, copper Small Date, zinc Large Date and zinc Small Date.

No mint mark type	Weight	Date	Value direction
1982 Copper Large Date	~3.11 g	Large	Usually common; high grade can matter
1982 Copper Small Date	~3.11 g	Small	Premium mainly in strong certified grades
1982 Zinc Large Date	~2.50 g	Large	Usually common
1982 Zinc Small Date	~2.50 g	Small	Usually common; varieties need attribution

Denver cents

1982-D Penny Value

1982-D Lincoln cent with Denver mint mark — Inspect the D below the date before applying the Denver value context.

Three normal Denver combinations plus a rare error candidate.

The D mint mark identifies Denver. Normal 1982-D circulation cents include copper Large Date, zinc Large Date and zinc Small Date. The zinc Small Date is a real regular variety and normally weighs about 2.50 grams.

1982-D type	Weight	Date	Value direction
1982-D Copper Large Date	~3.11 g	Large	Regular issue; grade matters
1982-D Zinc Large Date	~2.50 g	Large	Usually common
1982-D Zinc Small Date	~2.50 g	Small	Regular variety, not automatically rare

Important: 1982-D + Small Date + about 2.50 grams is the normal zinc combination. The rare candidate is 1982-D + Small Date + about 3.1 grams.

Rare transitional error

1982-D Small Date Copper Penny

Educational illustration of a possible 1982-D Small Date copper cent candidate — Educational illustration only. Weight, date and mint mark must be professionally verified.

Check the combination, then authenticate.

The rare example is not simply a copper-colored Small Date. It must have the D mint mark, the Small Date design and a copper-alloy or bronze planchet weight near 3.1 grams. NGC reported a discovery specimen at 3.08 grams, graded AU 58 BN, and described it as a mint error struck from a leftover planchet.

Do not claim the coin is rare from a photograph alone. Recheck the weight, inspect the date style and keep the surface untouched. A professional attribution and grading service is appropriate before using a large value claim.

Feature	Regular 1982-D Small Date	Rare copper example
Mint mark	D	D
Date	Small	Small
Weight	About 2.50 g	About 3.1 g
Composition	Copper-plated zinc	Copper-alloy / bronze planchet
Status	Regular variety	Transitional mint error

Screen 01

Confirm D

Mint mark is below the date.
No mint mark is a different Philadelphia combination.

Screen 02

Confirm Small Date

Compare the full date.
Check the 2 and digit alignment.

Screen 03

Recheck weight

Use a precise scale.
Do not clean or alter the coin.

Decision table

What Type of 1982 Penny Do I Have?

Regular 1982-D Small Date zinc cent compared with a copper-alloy candidate — The same D and Small Date require a weight check before any rarity claim.

Record all three observations.

Mint mark	Weight	Date	Likely type
None	~3.11 g	Large	1982 Copper Large Date
None	~3.11 g	Small	1982 Copper Small Date
None	~2.50 g	Large	1982 Zinc Large Date
None	~2.50 g	Small	1982 Zinc Small Date
D	~3.11 g	Large	1982-D Copper Large Date
D	~2.50 g	Large	1982-D Zinc Large Date
D	~2.50 g	Small	1982-D Zinc Small Date
D	~3.1 g	Small	Possible rare transitional error

Possible 1982-D Small Date copper cent? Do not clean it. Recheck the weight on a calibrated scale and seek professional authentication if the date and weight match.

Viral price question

Is a 1982 Penny Worth $35,000?

Educational comparison of coin condition and auction context — A headline price belongs to a specific authenticated coin, grade and completed sale.

Do not apply a headline to every coin.

An ordinary 1982 penny is not worth $35,000. The number can come from a rare transitional error, an exceptional certified grade, a historic auction result, a viral article or a seller’s asking price. Those are different kinds of evidence.

A 1982-D Small Date copper error has brought substantial prices in documented sales, but the result belongs to that authenticated specimen, grade and sale date. It does not establish a fixed price for every 1982-D Small Date, and it does not make a 2.50 gram zinc cent valuable.

Market rule: use completed sales for the exact attribution and grade. Treat active listings and social-media claims as leads, not proof.

Where premiums can appear

Which 1982 Pennies Are Valuable?

Three educational 1982 penny value categories — Condition, attribution and original surface separate ordinary coins from collectible examples.

Educational comparison of date variety, doubled die and mint error — Educational comparison only. The image does not attribute or certify a specific coin.

Category first, price second.

Transitional error

1982-D Small Date on a copper-alloy planchet.
Weight, date and mint must agree.
Professional authentication is essential.

High grade

Regular copper or zinc types in exceptional certified condition.
Color and original luster affect the market.
Use the exact PCGS or NGC type.

Die variety

PCGS catalogs recognized 1982 zinc Small Date DDR FS-1801 varieties.
Doubling must match a documented attribution.
One blurry edge is not enough.

Mint error

Off-center, clipped, wrong-planchet and other errors need expert review.
Do not invent an error from damage or plating loss.
Keep the coin uncleaned.

Variety vocabulary

1982 Penny Errors & Varieties

Educational comparison of 1982 date variety, doubled die and mint error — Educational reference only. The image does not attribute or certify a specific coin.

Use the right category before searching for a price.

Large Date and Small Date are design varieties. A doubled die is a die variety with repeatable design doubling. An off-center strike, clipped planchet or wrong-planchet coin is a mint error. Damage, plating loss and one blurry edge are not enough to establish a recognized error.

Copper context

Are 1982 Copper Pennies Valuable?

Copper alone is not the rarity test.

Most 1982 copper-alloy cents are regular combinations. Philadelphia copper Large Date and Small Date cents are part of the normal year, and 1982-D Copper Large Date is also a normal combination. A copper-colored surface or a 3.1 gram reading must be combined with the mint mark and date size.

The standout pairing is D + Small Date + copper-alloy weight. That combination is why the scale belongs near the top of the identification process. “If it weighs 3.1 grams, you are rich” is not a safe conclusion without the other two diagnostics and authentication.

Records, not promises

Most Valuable 1982 Pennies Sold at Auction

Representative documented results.

Type	Grade	Certification	Auction context	Realized
1982-D Small Date bronze discovery	AU58 BN	NGC Discovery Coin	Stack’s Bowers ANA, 2017	$18,800
1982 Bronze Small Date, RD	MS67+	PCGS	Heritage, 2014	$9,988
1982 Zinc Small Date, RD	MS69	PCGS	Stack’s Bowers, 2019	$15,600
1982 Bronze Large Date, RB	MS64 RB	PCGS	Stack’s Bowers, 2024	$1,110

Each result belongs to one certified coin and one market date. PCGS notes that some listed auction records are eBay transactions and warns that listing authenticity is not guaranteed; major-house results are stronger context for a large claim.

History

Why Are There So Many 1982 Penny Varieties?

The U.S. Mint used 1982 as a transition year for the cent. Traditional copper-alloy planchets continued while the Mint introduced copper-plated zinc planchets. That change created two practical weight classes: about 3.11 grams and about 2.50 grams.

The obverse hub was also revised during the year, producing Large Date and Small Date designs. Philadelphia and Denver then combined with those composition and date changes. NGC describes seven regular circulating combinations. The later-discovered 1982-D Small Date bronze example is treated as a mint error because it was struck on a leftover planchet, not as a normal eighth production combination.

1982 in one line: old planchet and new planchet, Large Date and Small Date, Philadelphia and Denver.

Reference specifications

1982 Penny Specifications

1982 Lincoln cent with measurement tools for diameter and weight — Use measurement tools as reference; displayed instruments are not authentication results.

Two composition classes share the Lincoln Memorial design.

Specification	Copper alloy	Copper-plated zinc
Denomination	One cent	One cent
Composition	95% copper, 5% zinc alloy	Copper-plated zinc
Weight	About 3.11 g	About 2.50 g
Diameter	19.00 mm	19.00 mm
Edge	Plain	Plain
Obverse	Lincoln portrait	Lincoln portrait
Reverse	Lincoln Memorial	Lincoln Memorial

Victor David Brenner designed the obverse and Frank Gasparro designed the Lincoln Memorial reverse. PCGS lists a 19.00 mm diameter and plain edge for both classes.

Protect the evidence

Should You Clean a 1982 Penny?

Untouched 1982 Lincoln cent beside gloves and coin-care tools — Preserve the original surface. Cleaning can remove evidence and reduce collector value.

No. Cleaning can create hairlines, remove original surface and change the color designation. This matters most for a possible 1982-D Small Date copper error, where the coin should be weighed, photographed and professionally reviewed without alteration.

Questions collectors ask

1982 Penny FAQ

How much is a 1982 penny worth?

Most circulated 1982 cents are common. Value depends on the exact mint mark, composition, date size, condition, surface and any recognized variety or mint error.

Which 1982 penny is valuable?

The rarest headline variety is the 1982-D Small Date struck on a copper-alloy planchet. High-grade regular varieties and recognized die varieties can also bring premiums, but most 1982 cents are not rare.

How can I tell if my 1982 penny is copper or zinc?

Weigh it on a precise digital scale. A copper-alloy 1982 cent is about 3.11 grams; a copper-plated zinc cent is about 2.50 grams. Color alone is not reliable.

What is the difference between a 1982 Large Date and Small Date?

Compare the height and alignment of the numerals and the shape of the 2. On the Small Date, the numerals align more closely and the 2 has a curved lower descender; use a recognized comparison image rather than a quick visual guess.

What is a 1982 penny with no mint mark?

It is a normal Philadelphia-type issue. No mint mark does not mean the coin has a missing-mint-mark error.

How much is a 1982-D penny worth?

Most 1982-D cents are common in circulated grades. Separate the regular Large Date copper, Large Date zinc and Small Date zinc combinations from the rare copper Small Date error before comparing prices.

Is every 1982-D Small Date penny rare?

No. The regular 1982-D Small Date is a copper-plated zinc cent and weighs about 2.50 grams. A copper-alloy weight is the warning sign that calls for professional review.

What is the rare 1982-D Small Date copper penny?

It is a transitional mint error: a Denver Small Date struck on an older copper-alloy or bronze planchet. NGC certified a discovery specimen weighing 3.08 grams and graded AU 58 BN.

Is a 1982 penny worth $35,000?

An ordinary 1982 penny is not worth $35,000. Large claims usually refer to a particular authenticated error, exceptional grade, old auction result or an asking price. Confirm the exact coin and completed sale before using any number.