🚨 STOP! That 1982 penny in your pocket could be worth $18,800.00! 🚨
Most people think a penny is just one cent, but 1982 was the year everything changed for the U.S. Mint. Due to rising metal costs, the Mint transitioned from 95% copper to a cheaper copper-plated zinc. During this chaotic transition, a few “impossible” error coins were struck—and collectors are paying a fortune to find them.
[Value] The “Lottery Ticket” Penny: 1982-D Small Date Copper
While there are seven common varieties of the 1982 penny that are worth only face value, one specific coin is the “Holy Grail” of modern pocket change: the 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny.
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The Auction Record: A confirmed 1982-D Small Date Copper penny graded AU58 recently sold for $18,800.
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Why it’s Rare: The Denver Mint (D) was only supposed to strike Small Date pennies in zinc. A few leftover copper blanks (planchets) from the previous year accidentally got stuck in the machines and were struck with the new 1982-D Small Date dies.
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The Rarity: Only two confirmed specimens are currently known to exist in the entire world. Could you be the one to find the third?
How to Identify the $18,000 Penny:
To find this treasure, your coin must pass ALL THREE of these tests:
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The “D” Mint Mark: It must have a small “D” under the date, signifying it was minted in Denver.
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The Small Date: Look at the number “2” in 1982. On the Small Date, the diagonal bar of the “2” is curved, and the top of the “8” has a much smaller upper loop.
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The Weight Test (Critical): This is the only way to prove it’s copper. You need a digital pocket scale.
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Common Zinc Penny: weighs 2.5 grams.
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RARE Copper Penny: weighs 3.11 grams.
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[Call to Action]
Check your change jars and floor mats immediately! 🧐 If you find a 1982-D that looks like a Small Date, don’t spend it—weigh it! Even a common 1982 Small Date in perfect “Red” uncirculated condition from Philadelphia can be worth up to $18,000 if it achieves a high enough grade.
Want to see the visual difference between the “Large” and “Small” dates side-by-side? 👉 Watch this guide on identifying rare 1982 pennies
This video provides a side-by-side comparison of the copper and zinc varieties so you can accurately identify if you have a thousand-dollar error in your hand.
Would you like me to explain how to tell the difference between the “Large Date” and “Small Date” using the distance from the rim?
