Time to start looking through your pocket change. A second 1982-D Lincoln Cent with a Small Date in Copper has been discovered. The second coin was recently graded by PCGS and weighed in a 3.07 grams. The copper Cents weighed in a 3.1 grams so this was well within tolerances.
For reference, the copper coated zinc cents weight just 2.5 grams.
The first 1982-D Small Date copper cent was graded by NGC and it was also graded at AU-58. It went to auction recently and scored a cool $18,800 winning bid.
So how can you determine if you have a 1982-D Lincoln Small Date copper Cent? Take a look at the image below. On the small dates, the “2” is far away from the rim of the coin. The large date variant will be close to the rim.
Of course, when it comes to if it is copper versus zinc, you need to weigh the coin. It should be around 3.1 grams while the zinc coins will be 2.5 grams. That’s hard to determine without a small scale.
If there are two of this variety then there are bound to be more out in the wild. Time to dig through that penny jar you have and see if you happen to have a potentially high value coin you didn’t know about waiting to join your collection.
I have two of the 1982 d small date pennies. One weighs 3.08 grams, the other 3.12 grams.
The 3.08 grams likely is a Zinc Cent while the 3.12 is likely Brass
I have 5 1982d small date weighing 2.5 grams
I have a small date Cooper 82 penny ,weighing 3.1. Who can I contact on selling this penny?
where do I go if I have a small date 1982 d weighing from 3.08 to 3.13 grams i have several of them. thanks.
First given that there are literally only two identified 1982-D small dates, you likely do not have a small date. Distinguishing between the large date and small date can be tricky. I recommend referring to the Red Book for details. I would also recommend that you take the coins to a local coin shop (LCS) and have them look at it or, if that’s not an option, perhaps sending one in for grading from PCGS, ANACS or NGC. They will properly identify it (for the grading fees of course).
of course I will further look into this coin. I’ve read that of the top numeral align straight and the bottom 1,8, and 2 align as well then its considered a small date. and I have a 1982 d penny that shows that and weighing at 3.13 grams. but thanks Clinton. I will keep searching a way to find out if it is authentic.
I have 4 82 small date copper Penny’s weighing 3.2 and 3.3 g.