Most pennies from 1982 are worth just one cent… but a rare 1982-D Small Date copper penny has shocked collectors by selling for over $1 million. 🤯
So why is this modern coin such a big deal? Let’s break it down. 👇
🎨 Design & History
- Designer: Frank Gasparro (Lincoln Memorial design)
- Obverse: Abraham Lincoln with “IN GOD WE TRUST”
- Reverse: Lincoln Memorial (used from 1959–2008)
- Key Fact: 1982 was the last year for 95% copper pennies before the switch to zinc.
💎 The $1 Million Error – Why It Exists
The 1982-D Small Date copper cent is a minting accident that “shouldn’t exist.”
✨ The Wrong Planchet Rarity
- What Happened? A few leftover copper blanks were mistakenly used at the Denver Mint, even though production had shifted to zinc.
- Why Valuable? Only 5–10 confirmed examples are known, compared to billions of regular 1982-D pennies.
🔍 How to Identify One:
- Weigh It: Copper = 3.11g | Zinc = 2.5g
- Check the Date: Must be the Small Date style (compare to trusted images).
- Ping Test: Copper rings with a deeper tone than zinc.
🚫 Busting the Myths
❌ “All 1982 pennies are copper.” → False. Most are zinc.
❌ “Only the 1943 copper penny is valuable.” → Wrong! The 1982-D copper small date is even rarer.
🔍 Could You Find One?
Chances are slim, but not impossible. Here’s where some have turned up:
- Old bank rolls from 1982
- Inherited coin collections
- Dealer “junk bins” (yes, it’s happened!)
💰 Why Collectors Pay Millions
- Mint Mistake: Denver wasn’t supposed to strike copper in 1982
- Graded Example: A PCGS MS-64 Red sold for $1.1 million in 2021
- Modern Rarity: A true error from our lifetime, not ancient history
📚 Want to Learn More?
📘 Free Guide: Download the 1982 Penny Identification Checklist at PennyVerse.info
👥 Join the Hunt: Our Copper Penny Detectives Forum tracks every new discovery
#️⃣ #MillionDollarPenny #CoinErrors #1982Mystery
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