The 1982 Lincoln penny hides one of the rarest and most valuable errors in modern U.S. coinage—with one confirmed Small Date Copper example selling for $300,000!
At PennyVerse, we’ve helped authenticate these legendary coins. Here’s your step-by-step guide to identifying this life-changing error in your pocket change.
📌 1982 Penny Value Chart (Key Varieties)
| Variety | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value | Record Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal Zinc Penny | 1¢ | $1 – $5 | – |
| Large Date Copper | $5 – $50 | $100 – $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Small Date Copper | $10,000+ | $50,000 – $300,000 | $300,000 |
| Doubled Die Obverse | $50 – $500 | $1,000 – $5,000 | $6,000 |
| Transitional Errors | $200 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $50,000 | $72,000 |
💡 Key Insight: Only 5 confirmed 1982 Small Date Copper pennies exist—making them 100X rarer than a 1916-D Mercury Dime!
🔍 How to Identify the $300,000 Penny
1️⃣ Check the Date Style
✔ Small Date (Rare & Valuable)
- Tiny, compact numbers
- “2” has a flat top (not curved like Large Date)
✔ Large Date (Common)
- Bold, spread-out numbers
- “2” has a rounded top
2️⃣ Verify the Composition
⚖ Weigh It:
- 3.11g = Copper (Rare & Valuable)
- 2.5g = Zinc (Common)
🧲 Magnet Test:
- Copper pennies won’t stick (zinc-plated ones will slightly).
3️⃣ Examine the Mint Mark
📍 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia): Only known Small Date Copper examples.
📍 “D” (Denver): Only Large Date Copper (still valuable but not $300K).
💎 Top 3 Most Valuable 1982 Pennies
1️⃣ 1982 Small Date Copper
- Value: $50,000 – $300,000
- Key ID: Tiny date + 3.11g weight
2️⃣ 1982-D Copper Large Date
- Value: $500 – $2,500
- Key ID: “D” mintmark + copper weight
3️⃣ 1982 Doubled Die Obverse
- Value: $1,000 – $6,000
- Key ID: Thick/overlapping letters in “LIBERTY”
🏦 Where to Find These Rare Pennies
✅ Best Hunting Spots:
- Old penny rolls (search 1982 bank boxes)
- Coin dealer “junk bins”
- Estate sales (look for vintage collections)
🚫 Avoid:
- “Unsearched” bags on eBay (usually picked clean)
- Artificially darkened coins
💰 Selling Strategies for Maximum Profit
Top Selling Platforms:
- Heritage Auctions (best for copper errors)
- eBay (list with macro date photos)
- Coin forums (direct to serious collectors)
Must-Do Steps:
✔ Get copper errors PCGS/NGC certified
✔ Include weight & date comparison photos
✔ Show mint mark close-ups
📈 Market Trends (2024 Update)
🔥 Small Date coppers up 90% since 2018
💰 Registry set demand pushing prices higher
📱 TikTok discoveries increasing error awareness
💸 Prediction: The next Small Date copper could reach $500,000+!
🎁 Free PennyVerse Tools
🔍 Get These FREE Resources:
✅ 1982 Penny Error Checklist
✅ Date Style Comparison Guide
✅ Live Q&A With Copper Experts
👉 Found a 1982 Penny?
📩 Text photos to 555-PENNY-VERSE for instant appraisal!
🎯 Final Verdict
✅ Most 1982 pennies = 1¢
✅ Small Date coppers = $10,000 – $300,000
✅ Takes just 60 seconds to check!
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