At a Glance
- Seven regular-issue varieties of the 1982 Lincoln cent exist — three copper and four zinc
- Copper 1982 pennies weigh 3.11 grams. Zinc 1982 pennies weigh 2.50 grams. Weight is the only reliable way to tell them apart.
- Most 1982 pennies are worth face value to a few cents in circulated condition
- The 1982 Small Date Copper (Philadelphia) is the scarcest regular-issue variety — worth $3–$15+ in uncirculated grades
- The 1982-D Small Date Copper is not a regular variety — it’s an extremely rare transitional error with only two confirmed examples, valued at $10,000–$18,800+
- Large Date vs. Small Date: look at the “8” — the Small Date “8” has two equally sized loops, while the Large Date “8” has a noticeably smaller upper loop
Why 1982 Is a Transition Year
From 1909 through mid-1982, Lincoln cents were struck from an alloy of 95% copper and 5% zinc (earlier issues included tin), weighing 3.11 grams each. By the early 1980s, rising copper prices pushed the metal content of a penny close to its one-cent face value. Congress authorized the Mint to switch to a zinc core with thin copper plating (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper), weighing just 2.50 grams.
The switch happened mid-year in 1982. Both compositions were produced at Philadelphia and Denver, and both the Large Date and Small Date die varieties were used — creating seven regular-issue varieties that look identical but differ in composition and weight.
The Seven Varieties
The Mint produced roughly 16.7 billion pennies in 1982 — 10.7 billion at Philadelphia (and West Point, which struck cents without a mint mark) and 6 billion at Denver. Official figures were not broken down by composition or date style, so no individual mintage numbers exist for the seven varieties.
Copper Varieties (3.11 grams, 95% copper)
| Variety | Mint Mark | Date Style | Circulated Value | MS-63 | MS-65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 Copper Large Date | None (Philadelphia) | Large | 2–3¢ | $3–$5 | $8–$15 |
| 1982 Copper Small Date | None (Philadelphia) | Small | 2–3¢ | $5–$10 | $15–$30 |
| 1982-D Copper Large Date | D (Denver) | Large | 2–3¢ | $3–$5 | $8–$15 |
Zinc Varieties (2.50 grams, 97.5% zinc)
| Variety | Mint Mark | Date Style | Circulated Value | MS-63 | MS-65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 Zinc Large Date | None (Philadelphia) | Large | 1¢ | $1–$3 | $5–$10 |
| 1982 Zinc Small Date | None (Philadelphia) | Small | 1¢ | $1–$3 | $5–$10 |
| 1982-D Zinc Large Date | D (Denver) | Large | 1¢ | $1–$3 | $5–$10 |
| 1982-D Zinc Small Date | D (Denver) | Small | 1¢ | $1–$3 | $5–$10 |
Circulated copper 1982 pennies carry a slight premium over face because of their metal content. At copper’s recent price near $6.75 per pound, each copper penny contains about $0.044 in metal — over four times face value. Circulated zinc 1982 pennies are worth one cent.
In uncirculated grades, the 1982 Small Date Copper (Philadelphia) is the standout. Fewer survived in mint condition than the Large Date copper varieties, and it’s considered the toughest Philadelphia Memorial cent to find above MS-65. Certified MS-66 and above examples can bring $50 or more.
How to Identify: Copper vs. Zinc
The two compositions look identical — same diameter, same design, same color when new. Weight is the only reliable test.
By weight: A digital scale accurate to 0.1 grams is sufficient. Anything at 3.0g or above is copper. Anything at 2.5g is zinc. The 0.61-gram gap is wide enough that even a cheap postal scale will separate them.
By sound: Drop the coin on a hard surface. Copper rings; zinc clicks. Useful in a pinch, but weigh any coin you plan to keep or sell.
By appearance: On heavily worn zinc pennies, the thin plating sometimes wears through, exposing the gray zinc core as dark spots or bubbling. Copper pennies develop an even brown patina. Only useful on well-worn coins.
How to Identify: Large Date vs. Small Date
The easiest tell is the numeral “8”:
Large Date: The upper loop of the “8” is noticeably smaller than the lower loop. The “2” has a straight, angular base. Numbers are thicker overall.
Small Date: Both loops of the “8” are nearly equal in size. The “2” curves at its base. Numbers are thinner and more uniform.
The “1” differs too — the Small Date “1” has a more prominent serif at its base. Comparing against a confirmed example of each is the fastest way to learn the difference.
The 1982-D Small Date Copper: The Rare One
No regular-issue 1982-D Small Date Copper penny exists. All Denver Small Date cents were supposed to be struck on zinc planchets. A small number of leftover copper planchets were accidentally fed through the press with Small Date dies.
Only two confirmed examples are known. These are transitional mint errors, not standard varieties, and authenticated specimens have sold for up to $18,800 at Heritage Auctions.
To qualify, a coin must have all four traits: a 1982 date, Small Date font, a “D” mint mark, and a weight of 3.11 grams. If you find a 1982-D Small Date that weighs over 3.0 grams, do not clean it or handle it excessively. Have it authenticated by PCGS or NGC before drawing conclusions — copper-plated zinc cents occasionally weigh slightly above 2.5 grams due to plating variation, and the difference matters.
Notable Error Varieties
Beyond the seven regular issues, several 1982 error varieties are known:
1982 Small Date Zinc Doubled Die Reverse: Doubling visible on “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE CENT.” Confirmed examples in MS-63 and above have sold for $3,000 or more.
1982 Large Date Copper Doubled Die Obverse: Minor doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the date. Worth $10–$50 depending on doubling strength and grade.
Off-center strikes, wrong planchet errors, and die cracks also appear across the 1982 series. Running two compositions at multiple facilities simultaneously made 1982 more error-prone than a typical year.
1982 Penny Specifications
| Feature | Copper (Bronze) | Zinc (Copper-Plated) |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% zinc | 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper plating |
| Weight | 3.11 grams | 2.50 grams |
| Diameter | 19.05 mm | 19.05 mm |
| Thickness | 1.52 mm | 1.52 mm |
| Edge | Plain | Plain |
| Designer | Victor D. Brenner (obverse), Frank Gasparro (reverse) | |
| Mint Marks | None (Philadelphia/West Point), D (Denver) |
The copper alloy used in 1982 is technically brass (copper-zinc), though collectors and price guides commonly call it “copper” or “bronze.” Earlier issues containing tin were true bronze; the post-1962 tin-free alloy is brass. In practice, all pre-mid-1982 cents are grouped as “copper.”
What to Do If You Find One
Circulated copper 1982 pennies (any variety): save them with your other pre-1982 copper cents. Not rare, but worth more than face in metal content. See our guide to pre-1982 copper pennies.
Uncirculated copper 1982 pennies — particularly the Small Date — are worth grading if clean, well-struck, and free of contact marks. A raw MS-65 Small Date Copper is a $15–$30 coin; MS-66 and above can bring significantly more.
Any 1982-D Small Date that weighs 3.1 grams: straight to PCGS or NGC for authentication. Do not clean or polish it.
Zinc 1982 pennies in circulated condition are worth face value. Uncirculated examples bring $1–$10, mainly to collectors assembling complete 1982 sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 1982 penny worth? Most 1982 pennies are worth face value to a few cents. Copper varieties (3.11g) have about $0.044 in copper content at recent prices. Uncirculated examples bring $1–$30 depending on variety and grade. The rare 1982-D Small Date Copper transitional error is worth $10,000+.
How do I tell if my 1982 penny is copper or zinc? Weigh it. Copper 1982 pennies weigh 3.11 grams. Zinc 1982 pennies weigh 2.50 grams. A digital scale accurate to 0.1 grams is all you need.
What is the rarest 1982 penny? The 1982-D Small Date Copper — a transitional error struck on leftover copper planchets at the Denver Mint. Only two confirmed examples are known. Among regular-issue varieties, the 1982 Small Date Copper (Philadelphia) is the toughest to find in high grades.
Are all 1982 pennies worth keeping? Copper ones (3.11g) are worth setting aside for their metal content, same as any pre-1982 penny. Zinc ones in circulated condition are worth face value. If you’re building a complete set, you need all seven varieties.
How many types of 1982 pennies are there? Seven regular-issue varieties: three copper (Philadelphia Large Date, Philadelphia Small Date, Denver Large Date) and four zinc (Philadelphia Large Date, Philadelphia Small Date, Denver Large Date, Denver Small Date). An eighth coin, the 1982-S proof, was struck in copper at the San Francisco Mint for collector sets.
