Early in 2017 it was reported that Us Coin error specialist Ken Potter had confirmed the discovery of a unique 1982 Denver minted small date Lincoln penny coin. It caused quite the stir in the numismatic community at the time as the existence of such a coin had been rumoured, but denied by the US Mint, for over 35 years.
USA 1982-D Small Date Bronze Lincoln Memorial Penny NGC AU-58
The coin was certified by NGC as a “Discovery Coin” and given a grade of AU58 BN. What makes this story even more fantastical is that the coin was discovered by a coin roll hunter who was separating out older copper cents from the post 1982 copper coated-zinc coins.
To add some historic perspective to this story, in 1982 the price of copper had outstripped the face value of the US 1 cent coin and it was costing the US Mint more to make the Lincoln penny coin than it was worth in circulation. So a decision was taken to change the alloy from the older 95% copper(or bronze) to a 95% zinc coin merely coated with 5% copper.
1982 Denver Bronze Small Date 1c
To compensate for the properties of the new metal content used, slight changes had to be made to the design of the coin. The obverse lettering became slightly more delicate and was moved further from the rim of the coin.
1982- D Bronze Large Date 1c
The most noticeable change however, was to the date. The gap between the number two of “1982” and the rim of the coin is much wider, and the numbers are also more distinct in the newer variety. This led to what is today known as the “large date” and “small date” varieties.
The issue of note for this story arises in the fact that, while the Philadelphia mint minted both small and large date coins with copper and zinc planchettes, the Denver Mint took great care to only mint the newer small date coins using the new copper clad zinc planchettes.
USA 1982-D Small Date Bronze Lincoln Memorial Penny Obverse
Since it's discovery there has been much speculation over how much this coin may be worth and what it's owner might do with it. Well, almost a year after the coin's initial discovery those questions now have been answered.
The only verified example of the 1982 D small date Lincoln cent struck on a bronze(95% copper) planchet was consigned to Stacks & Bowers, who put the item up for auction on their 2017 ANA Rarities Night auction, held during the 2017 ANA World's Fair of Money in Denver on August 3, 2017.
1983 D Lincoln Cent Struck on a Copper Planchet
The coin was joined by another bronze Lincoln 1 cent coin from the Denver mint struck on a copper(bronze) planchet, but this time dated from 1983. This 1983 example was graded by PCGS as AU55, as a mint error. The two coins were consigned as lots numbers 2031 and 2032 respectively.
When the gavel fell at the end of the evening the 1982 D small date bronze penny sold for $18 800, while the 1983 D bronze cent coin was sold for a similarly impressive $17 625. Netting their former owners quite respectable profit considering the fact that both coins were pulled from circulation at face value.
Please keep me posted on 82 and 83 pennies
I have been searching forever and i have discovered ..I have two 1982 small date Denver mints!both zinc n weigh 2.5 grams..also have a large date weighing in at 2.5..im looking to sell them all for a reasonable price
1982 d large over small date with pmd
I have 1981D, 1982D,1983D
What color are yours
I have a question. Did Philip put a p on the 82-83 ?
hi – no they did not. The coins with no mint mark indicate the Philadelphia mint as their point of origin.
I have the 1982 coin with the small letters the D epqueña and the back letters very thin with an estimated weight of 3.10 grams I am interested …
Hola ..tengo un Penny del ano 1983 quisiera saber si valor actual y si lo quisiera vender donde o con quien puedo venderlo espero puedan ayudarme gracias
I have 2 small date 1982 d copper/bronze Lincoln penny weighed both at 3.1 grams what do I do to get the most money out of the coins
Your best bet would be to get them certified, and then consign to one of the large auction houses to feature.
i have found a unusual 1969s penny it has dubbling on both obverse and reverse sides I’ve taken hundreds of pictures and would like someone eles to see this. it looks exactly like what I’ve seen on Here. except the dubbling is a little more suttle I want to send it to be graded but I’m not sure how to do that .
It’s 3.8 grams .
Bronze 3.8 wt
Grams
Have a question I have a 1958 Wheat penny weights 3.27 should it weigh 3.11
Les pido mil disculpas.ya k uno escribe algo y sale diferente.no me gusta.este sistema”bueno mi moneda de ser Del 1958 viene con el mismo error de la 1943 error de plancha.en realidad es una bendición
I I sell coin1cent1983
Hola.es increíble pero tengo un one penny 1958 con relieve y lo mejor k está muy linda y con error de plancha pesa 3.18 creó con todo respeto k es fenomenal.y k tenga esos errores es mucho más coleccionable.gracias..
I have coin Lincoln 1983 I won’t sell
Thanks so much
Tengo moneda 1918 one penny y much as mas necesito informacion porfavor