What makes a 1982 penny rare

Coin dealers and collectors love the pennies because of their history. But if you ever found a penny, what could it be its best price?

The penny is a unique and fascinating coin that is valued by numismatists. The penny, also known as the Lincoln Memorial cent, is a one-cent coin that was minted in the United States. However, due to rising copper prices, the United States Mint decided to change the composition of the penny in , using a zinc core with a copper plating instead. This change made the penny different from previous pennies in both appearance and composition. This penny was minted in three different locations.

What makes a 1982 penny rare

How rare is a small date copper penny? If you have come across a penny recently and noticed it has a smaller date than usual, you may be wondering — just how rare and valuable is this small date copper penny? Well, in short, the small-date copper penny is very rare and valuable to coin collectors and enthusiasts. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide extensive details on the small date copper penny — from how it came to be to what makes it so rare and valuable for collectors. We will also look at identifying markers, price estimates, and tips for verifying authenticity if you believe you have found one of these ultra-rare pennies. However, the US Mint experienced some difficulty adjusting to the production of the new coins. As a result, some error copper pennies dated were created. When the US Mint switched the metal composition of pennies midway through , there were still some copper blank planchets remaining in the presses. As workers transitioned between the old copper planchets and new zinc ones, some of those copper blanks remained stuck in the machines. When the machines began striking zinc planchets into pennies, they would sometimes dislodge those leftover copper blanks. This resulted in some pennies being mistakenly struck on copper instead of zinc that year, and t he birth of the rare and coveted small date copper penny. The small date refers to the size and style of the numerals in the date compared to the larger numerals used later on in This helps identify exactly which copper pennies were struck during the transition period. While the US Mint estimates that only 10,, of these error pennies escaped the mint and entered circulation, some experts believe the numbers could be higher in the hundreds of thousands. Regardless, they are scarce and valuable finds for coin collectors today!

Copper Color and Composition Authentic small date copper cents have a distinctive, glossy copper shine to them. Coins from the West Point mint bear no mint mark, therefore they are indistinguishable from those produced in Philadelphia.

Well, your penny may not make you a millionaire, but expect it to be worth more than its face value. This amusing coin is not your typical Lincoln cent. It stands out because it marks the transition from traditional bronze composition to copper-plated zinc composition. Even better, the cent comes in more than three varieties. Originally, the U. S mint launched the Lincoln cent in to commemorate the th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln. The same applies to the Lincoln penny.

Coins Guide. This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. While the United States Mint made the switch from copper-based planchets to copper-coated zinc in , the saga behind using a cheaper alternatives for the Lincoln cent started nearly a decade earlier. Facing rising copper prices, the U. Mint tested cheaper metals for the penny in Aluminum seemed to work, and more than 1.

What makes a 1982 penny rare

The penny is a unique and fascinating coin that is valued by numismatists. The penny, also known as the Lincoln Memorial cent, is a one-cent coin that was minted in the United States. However, due to rising copper prices, the United States Mint decided to change the composition of the penny in , using a zinc core with a copper plating instead. This change made the penny different from previous pennies in both appearance and composition. This penny was minted in three different locations. The cent has a whole host of variations including larger and smaller dates, standard dies versus modified dies, and differing compositions. One interesting story about the penny involves a group of collectors who stumbled upon a rare error coin. In , a small number of pennies were mistakenly struck on pre copper planchets. In the early s, a group of penny collectors were sorting through a bag of pennies when they noticed that a few of the coins had a different color and weight than the others. Upon closer inspection, they realized that they had found a whole handful of these rare transitional error coins.

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Authentic small date copper cents have a distinctive, glossy copper shine to them. The small date variant is super rare and highly sought-after by coin collectors. The beauty of the penny also extends to its reverse. It stands out because it marks the transition from traditional bronze composition to copper-plated zinc composition. Correct Weight Specifications Real small date copper pennies from weigh in at standard specifications of 2. They minted these units anticipating that Congress will approve them. All the D cents featured a large date. While this is perhaps the least impressive auction record on out list today, it leaves the field wide open for a copper cent minted in Denver in better condition to smash the current record! For instance, the quality of strikes was reduced. The penny is a unique and fascinating coin that is valued by numismatists. Another error worth highlighting is the Occluded gas bubbles under plating error. Brenner , the obverse side of the penny depicts an image of the late President Abraham Lincoln facing right. On authentic specimens, the date and mint mark should be crisp and clear. How the Error Copper Pennies Got Minted When the US Mint switched the metal composition of pennies midway through , there were still some copper blank planchets remaining in the presses. For uncirculated specimens, values quickly rise into the six figures.

Well, your penny may not make you a millionaire, but expect it to be worth more than its face value. This amusing coin is not your typical Lincoln cent. It stands out because it marks the transition from traditional bronze composition to copper-plated zinc composition.

The condition of a coin always has a significant impact on its value. Man, I need this come up bad. Minute differences can distinguish a genuine coin from altered examples. Correct Weight Specifications Real small date copper pennies from weigh in at standard specifications of 2. Quarter Expand child menu Expand. Weighs 2. Sometimes, the coin can have some marks. Like any other coinage series, the pennies also have error types. As workers transitioned between the old copper planchets and new zinc ones, some of those copper blanks remained stuck in the machines. In the years before , most people loved copper pennies because they could maintain their beauty and quality for a long time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Remember, the Denver mint struck 6,,, pieces. However, changes in copper prices forced the U. Calculating the…. The number includes both copper and zinc pennies.