The valuable coin referenced is the 1982-D Small Date Copper Lincoln Cent. It is considered one of the rarest cents in numismatics due to a transitional error during minting.
This coin is a highly sought-after transitional error because it was struck at the Denver Mint (D mint mark) using the older, heavier copper planchets, despite the official switch to a lighter zinc alloy in mid-1982.
Key Details to Look For:
To identify the rare and valuable coin, you must check for three key characteristics:
- Date and Mint Mark: It must be dated 1982 and have a “D” mint mark below the date (for the Denver Mint).
- Date Style (Small Date): The date must be the Small Date variety. You can distinguish this by looking at the numbers:
- The “8” has a noticeably smaller upper loop than the bottom loop.
- The “2” has a more curved or “crooked” diagonal line.
- Composition (Copper): The coin must be made of the older copper alloy. The easiest way to confirm this is to weigh the coin:
- The rare copper variety should weigh around 3.1 grams.
- The common zinc variety weighs only about 2.5 grams.
Value and Rarity:
- Rarity: Only a few examples of the 1982-D Small Date Copper Cent are known to exist.
- Auction Value: The first example found in 2016 sold for $18,800. A second example sold for over $10,000. This confirms the $3,000+ Estimate on the image is a possible value depending on the grade.
- Other 1982 Copper Pennies: Other 1982 copper cents (like the 1982 Small Date Copper with no mint mark from Philadelphia) are also more valuable than face value, but they are more common and typically sell for much less, such as $10 to $50+ in uncirculated condition.
