1982 D Lincoln Penny 3.0 Gr Copper

There are actually 7 varieties for 1982 Lincoln cents plus the single proof (1982 S) is a Large Date Copper Proof only 3.11g. You will notice from the image that its only the 1982-D small date that is only in zinc, and so if found on copper its a rare error with only two examples found. The others all can be found on BOTH zinc and copper planchets normally and only valuable in certain cases like a very high grade such as if you look at PCGS or NGC website price guide for the highest grades, or has some other reason like its another variety or error. Copper weight around 3.11g while Zinc weight around 2.5g.



It's theorized that the 1982-D Small Date copper penny was created when a brass planchet, or prepared coin blank, was left in the Mint's coin hopper by accident and was inadvertently fed into the coining presses. At least two (and perhaps many more) were unknown — until the first one was discovered by Paul Malone on November 23, 2016. He found it while sorting his 1982 pennies. It was the first-ever reported discovery of a 1982-D Small Date penny.
What's amazing about this coin is that it took nearly 35 years for it to be found. And what's even more incredible still is that there are likely more out there just like it waiting to be discovered.

Yes, thats the short. Heres some more interesting info that is rarely discussed about these 1982 cents from the late David Lange:

All planchets for the new cents would be fabricated by outside vendors and delivered ready to coin. A contract was awarded July 22, 1981 to the Ball Corporation of Greenville, Tennessee for press-ready planchets to be delivered no later than November. Production of the copper-plated zinc cents was anticipated to begin in December using dies dated 1982. Since the new cents would not be available in large quantities for another several months, the coining of brass cents was expected to continue throughout much of 1982.

Coining of the zinc cents actually commenced on January 7, 1982 at the West Point Mint. (Little remembered today is that this facility produced nearly a billion cents from 1974 to 1985. As these bear no mintmarks, they are indistinguishable from those made at Philadelphia.) Soon thereafter, Philadelphia undertook this coinage, too. Denver continued to produce solely brass cents until October 21, 1982. That was conversion day. After coining brass cents in the morning, an hour's suspension was affected during which time all the remaining brass cents and planchets were cleared away, and the striking of zinc cents began. The first delivery of these from the Coining Division was made on the 27th. The San Francisco Mint struck nearly four million proof cents for collectors, but these were all of the traditional composition. It was found that the underlying zinc broke through its thin copper plating under the repeated impressions given to proof coins. This problem was solved in 1983 and subsequent years by furnishing each proof planchet with a second copper plating. Oddly enough, San Francisco did mint 1,587,245 zinc cents for general circulation in 1982. Like those made at West Point, however, these bear no mintmarks. The coin hobby enjoyed a real windfall when the U.S. Mint decided to make a major revision to the cent's obverse master hub midway through 1982. The new hub is most easily recognized by its much smaller date, and these Small Date cents were first struck September 3. Ultimately, a total of seven different combinations of date size, mint and composition were created for the circulating cent coinage in 1982, only a 1982-D Small Date Brass cent being omitted.
https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/646/ ....So the Small Date Denver as mentioned was just to be zinc.

Excellent explanation DATA. Just you forgot to say that West Point in all those years keep the half of production for Reserve.

What I do not agree with you it is the third party company delivered all the planchets. The Mint receive in 1981 and then they stop this because of the % of the fraud danger. Second, the rolls was not all from the same company.

Rest, excellent teaching.

On the cents Cu the tolerance it is 0.12gr. So your coin fit the narrative.

DATA: I do not go by articles. I go with the Mint in front of the Congress commission. Was awarded in 1980 and contract sign in 1981. The big problem was that in same time many blanks and planchets come in the market. So they just stop. Reserve decision.

PS I have to send you better tables for tolerances.

DATA you are correct. 1981 was a problem. About alternative metals, is pas the Senate and the House. I already send to Mike. Him can give you this. Was approved in 2020. DATA, welcome to the hide news till implanted if not already. Any ways, the cent will pass from 0.7 cent a coin to 0.45 cent a coin (the most expensive)