Most people overlook pennies… but one tiny 1982 Lincoln cent shocked collectors when it sold for an unbelievable $300,000. 😲

This rare 1982 Small Date Copper penny is considered one of the most valuable modern U.S. coins ever discovered. Even today, collectors are still searching bank rolls and old jars hoping to uncover the next one.

Here is your complete, step-by-step guide to identifying this ultra-rare penny before it slips through your fingers. 🪙✨

---

📊 1982 Penny Value Chart — What’s Yours Worth?

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 (RARE)	$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

💡 Fun Fact: Only 5 confirmed Small Date Copper pennies exist. They’re roughly 100× rarer than the famous 1916-D Mercury Dime!

---

🔍 Step-by-Step: How to Identify the $300,000 1982 Penny

🕵️ Step 1: Check the Date Style

You must correctly identify the Small Date — it is the rare and valuable one.

✔ Small Date (RARE & Valuable)

• Numbers look thin and compact
• The “2” has a flat top
• The “8” sits higher and looks more balanced

❌ Large Date (Common)

• Thicker, wider numbers
• The “2” has a round top
• The “8” appears lower and slightly larger

---

⚖️ Step 2: Confirm the Metal Composition

Use a digital jewelry scale (0.01g accuracy):

✅ 3.11g = Copper (JACKPOT)

This weight means your coin was struck on an old copper planchet — extremely rare.

❌ 2.5g = Zinc (Common)

Zinc pennies from 1982 are normal and not valuable.

Bonus Quick Test

🧲 Magnet Test:
Real copper won’t stick. If there’s any pull, it’s not solid copper.

---

🏛 Step 3: Check the Mint Mark

The rarest 1982 variety was struck only at:

📍 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) → All confirmed rare Small Date Copper examples

Denver (“D”) never produced Small Date Copper pennies — only Large Date Copper.

---

💎 Top 3 Most Valuable 1982 Pennies

1️⃣ 1982 Small Date Copper — The $300,000 Penny

• Value: $50,000 – $300,000+
• ID: Small Date + 3.11g weight

2️⃣ 1982-D Copper Large Date

• Value: $500 – $2,500
• ID: “D” mintmark + copper planchet

3️⃣ 1982 Doubled Die Obverse

• Value: $1,000 – $6,000
• ID: Doubled lettering on “LIBERTY” or date

---

🏦 Best Places to Find These Rare Pennies

Where to Search

✔ Old bank rolls from early 1980s
✔ Estate sales, inherited collections
✔ Coin shop junk bins
✔ Old coffee cans or coin jars

What to Avoid

❌ “Unsearched” rolls on eBay
❌ Artificially darkened coins
❌ Polished pennies (value drops sharply)

---

💸 How to Sell a Rare 1982 Penny for Maximum Profit

Best Selling Platforms

🏆 Heritage Auctions – Top payouts for rare errors
🛒 eBay – Include clear weight/date photos
💬 Coin forums – Direct sales to expert collectors

Before You Sell

✔ Get it graded by PCGS or NGC
✔ Provide weight measurement photo
✔ Capture clear close-ups of date & mintmark

---

📈 Market Trends (2024–2025)

🔥 Rare 1982 pennies increased more than 90% in the last 6 years
💵 Registry collectors driving high-end bidding
📱 TikTok/YT coin hunting content boosting demand

Expert Prediction: The next confirmed Small Date Copper could reach $500,000+ at auction.

---

🚀 Final Takeaway

If you have any 1982 pennies, especially no-mintmark examples, check them carefully. One tiny detail — a date style and a weight — could turn your 1-cent coin into a $300,000 treasure.

---