1982-D Large Date, Zinc...why So Few?

Since the Mint didn't track variety mintages, nobody knows the exact number of each type. Generally, collectors have arrived at relative numbers by consensus.

Unless you live on or near the west coast, D mint coins are not nearly abundant. I see far less of D and S mint coins in the midwest. That doesn't mean mintages are lower, they just don't ciculate in my area as much. Folks that live toward the west report plenty of coins that are more scarce here like the 60's-70's S mint's.

Back to the 1982's....I have my opinion.

1982 LDC - By far the highest mintage! I HATE THEM!
1982 SDC - IMO, the lowest mintage, BU coins are definately scarce.
1982 SDZ - Generally thought of as the lowest mintage and seem to have the highest price premium. In my searching, they are somewhat scarce, but I see more of them than I do the SDC.

BadThad.. where in the midwest are you talking about? I'm near Minneapolis and the VAST majority of coins here are D mint ones. I have yet to find a single ATB from Philly, and I see about 1 in 100 dimes and pennies from 2010 or newer that are Ps.
I havent paid attention to 82 zincs yet, but now I will have to take a look.

I'm in Cincinnati.