Most pennies from 1982 are worth face value—but one rare 1982-D Small Date copper cent could be hiding a $1 million+ secret. Here’s why collectors are obsessed with this modern rarity.
Design & History
Designer: Frank Gasparro (adapted Lincoln Memorial design)
Obverse: Abraham Lincoln profile with “IN GOD WE TRUST”
Reverse: Lincoln Memorial (standard 1959–2008 design)
Key Fact: 1982 was the last year of 95% copper pennies before switching to zinc.
The $1 Million Error – What Makes It Special?
This isn’t just any 1982 penny. The 1982-D Small Date copper variant is a minting contradiction—a coin that technically shouldn’t exist:
The “Wrong Planchet” Rarity
- What Happened? A few copper blanks accidentally got mixed with zinc ones at the Denver Mint.
- Why Valuable? Only 5–10 confirmed examples exist (vs. billions of normal 1982-D pennies).
- How to Spot One:
- Weigh it: 3.11g = copper (zinc cents weigh 2.5g)
- Check the date: Must be Small Date (compare to known examples)
- Ping Test: Copper has a deeper ring than zinc
Busting Myths
“All 1982 pennies are copper.” → False. Most are zinc—copper ones are rare.
“The 1943 copper penny is the only valuable one.” → Wrong! This 1982 error is 1,000x rarer than a 1943 copper cent.
Could You Find One?
- Odds Are Slim – Fewer than 10 confirmed in 40+ years.
- Where to Look:
- Old coin rolls (especially original 1982-D bank rolls)
- Inherited collections
- Coin dealer “junk bins” (yes, it’s happened!)
Why This Penny Commands Millions
- Mint Mistake: The Denver Mint wasn’t supposed to strike copper cents in 1982.
- Graded Examples: The finest known (PCGS MS-64 Red) sold for $1.1 million in 2021.
- Modern Rarity: Unlike ancient coins, this error occurred in our lifetime.
Want to Learn More?
Free Guide: Download our “1982 Penny Identification Checklist” at PennyVerse.info.
Join the Hunt: Our “Copper Penny Detectives” Forum tracks new discoveries.
#MillionDollarPenny #CoinErrors #1982Mystery
