What it is
In 1982 the cent changed from brass to copper-plated zinc and the Mint also changed the size of the date. Combine two date sizes, two metals and two mints and you get seven regular collectible combinations, plus a famous rarity: the 1982-D Small Date struck in copper, discovered in 2017.
How to identify it
- Weigh the coin: about 3.1 g is brass (copper), about 2.5 g is zinc.
- On the Small Date the digits are smaller and their tops line up evenly; compare the shape of the 2 with a known example.
- Note the mint mark: D for Denver or none for Philadelphia.
A 5x to 10x loupe and good, angled light make the details much easier to see. For anything that looks genuine, a digital scale and a certified comparison coin help.
What gets mistaken for it
Worn coins and dirty scales cause mistakes, so weigh several and use a scale that reads to 0.01 g.
The regular 1982 coin
The variety appears on the 1982 Lincoln Memorial Cent, which had a total mintage of 10,712,525,000. That figure counts the whole issue, so it does not tell you how many coins show the variety.
Why 1982 cents are so complicated
Rising copper costs pushed the Mint to change the cent's composition in 1982, from 95% copper and 5% zinc to a zinc core plated with copper, about 97.5% zinc overall. The switch happened partway through the year, so both Philadelphia and Denver struck both metals. In the same year the Mint introduced a new obverse hub with a smaller date. Combining the two changes produced the different collectible 1982 cents.
The combinations are Philadelphia Large Date brass, Philadelphia Small Date brass, Philadelphia Large Date zinc, Philadelphia Small Date zinc, Denver Large Date brass, Denver Large Date zinc and Denver Small Date zinc. A Denver Small Date brass cent was long thought not to exist and only a tiny number have been confirmed.
West Point cents without mint marks
The West Point facility also struck cents in 1982 without a mint mark. Its coins cannot be told apart from Philadelphia cents, so when collectors say Philadelphia for a 1982 cent, they mean any coin without a D.
A step-by-step sorting method
You need a digital scale that reads to 0.01 grams, a 5x loupe and a known example of each date size. Weigh first. Brass cents weigh about 3.11 grams and zinc cents about 2.5 grams, so anything near 3.1 grams is brass and anything near 2.5 grams is zinc. Coins in between usually have dirt, corrosion or a faulty scale.
Next, check the date size with the loupe. Besides the shape of the 2, compare the overall height of the digits with your reference coins. Finally, note the mint mark. Sort the coins into labeled piles or envelopes as you go so you do not mix them up.
If you do not have a scale, the drop test can help: drop a coin a short distance onto a hard surface. Brass cents ring with a higher tone, while zinc cents give a dull thud. It is less reliable than weighing but useful for sorting large numbers quickly.
The rare one to look for
Any Denver Small Date cent weighing about 3.1 grams deserves careful attention, because it would be the rarest of the 1982 combinations. Before getting excited, recheck the weight on a calibrated scale, make sure the mint mark is a genuine D and not damage and compare the date with known Small Date examples. Have any candidate authenticated by a major service.
Grades and preservation
Zinc cents from 1982 are especially prone to spotting and plating problems, so Uncirculated red zinc coins with clean surfaces are the most desirable of the zinc types. Brass coins tone more evenly. Grading services list metal and date size as part of the coin's description, so both appear on the holder.
Plating problems on early zinc cents
The first zinc cents were struck while the Mint was still learning the new process. Plating defects such as bubbles, peeling and uneven color are common on 1982 zinc coins. These are not date or metal varieties. They lower the grade and can make the date harder to judge, so choose clean coins when building a set.
A complete set of the seven circulating combinations, each in Uncirculated red condition, is a popular and affordable project for Lincoln cent collectors. Keep a small label with each coin that records its weight, date size and mint, so the set stays sorted.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a 1982 Cents: Small Date, Large Date, Copper and Zinc?
Weigh the coin: about 3.1 g is brass (copper), about 2.5 g is zinc. On the Small Date the digits are smaller and their tops line up evenly; compare the shape of the 2 with a known example. If your coin passes these checks, have it authenticated by PCGS or NGC before buying or selling.
Is the 1982 Cents: Small Date, Large Date, Copper and Zinc valuable?
Genuine examples sell for a premium over regular coins of the same date. The amount depends on how strong the variety is, the coin's condition and whether it is certified. Compare recent sold auction results for certified coins in the same grade.
What is a date size and metal varieties?
In 1982 the cent changed from brass to copper-plated zinc and the Mint also changed the size of the date.
Did West Point make 1982 pennies?
Yes. West Point struck cents in 1982 without a mint mark, so they cannot be told apart from Philadelphia coins.
Which 1982 penny is the rarest?
The 1982-D Small Date struck on a brass planchet is the rarest, with only a tiny number confirmed. All the other combinations are found in circulation.