1982-D Small Date Bronze Penny is the “holy grail” of modern pocket change. While common 1982 pennies are worth just one cent, this specific transitional error is so rare that only a few have ever been confirmed to exist.
Here is everything you need to know to identify if you have found one of these legendary coins.
[Hook] 🚨
CHECK YOUR POCKET CHANGE IMMEDIATELY! 🔍💎 You could be holding a fortune in the palm of your hand. Most people spend their 1982 pennies without a second thought, but if yours has a “D” mint mark, a small date, and weighs exactly 3.1 grams, you might have just struck it rich! This “transitional error” is so rare that only two confirmed examples were found in over 40 years—until another recently shocked the coin world!
[Value] đź’°
The value of a 1982 penny depends entirely on its composition and variety. In 1982, the U.S. Mint transitioned from bronze (copper) to copper-plated zinc to save money.
| Penny Variety | Composition | Rarity | Estimated Value |
| 1982-D Small Date Bronze | 95% Copper | Ultra-Rare Error | $10,000 – $18,000+ |
| 1982-D Small Date Zinc | 97.5% Zinc | Common | Face Value (up to $4,800 if perfect MS68+) |
| 1982-D Large Date Bronze | 95% Copper | Common | 1–2 Cents |
| 1982 (No Mint Mark) Small Date Bronze | 95% Copper | Scarce | $100 – $1,000+ (if high grade) |
The legendary $500,000 figure often seen in headlines refers to the potential value of a “perfect” grade specimen (like an MS69 or MS70) that hasn’t been found yet. Currently, confirmed circulated examples have sold for between $10,800 and $18,800.
[How to Identify Yours] 🕵️‍♂️
You need to pass three tests to have the rare coin:
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The Mint Mark Test: Look under the date for a small “D”. This means it was minted in Denver.
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The “Small Date” Test:
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The 8: On a Small Date, the top loop of the “8” is much smaller than the bottom loop.
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The 2: The diagonal stem of the “2” is curved on a Small Date, whereas it is straight on a Large Date.
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The Rim: The numbers in the Small Date are further away from the coin’s edge.
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The Weight Test (The Most Important!):
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Common Zinc pennies weigh 2.5 grams.
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The Rare Bronze error weighs 3.11 grams.
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You must use a digital gram scale for this; the difference is invisible to the eye!
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[Call to Action] đź“Ł
Think you found a winner? Don’t clean it! Cleaning a rare coin can destroy up to 90% of its value.
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Weigh your 1982-D Small Date on a digital scale and comment your results below! 👇
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Tag a friend who has a massive jar of spare change—they could be sitting on a jackpot!
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Follow for more daily tips on how to find “hidden treasures” in your everyday wallet!
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Would you like me to show you a side-by-side photo comparison of the Small Date vs. Large Date so you can be 100% sure?
