1983 Penny Treasure Hunt: This “1¢” Coin Could Be Worth $23,500!

STOP! Don’t Spend That 1983 Penny Just Yet…

While 99.9% of 1983 pennies are worth only face value, a tiny handful of rare minting errors have sold for up to $23,500!

Here’s how to spot the jackpot coins that could be hiding in your change jar — and how to cash in if you find one.

The Crown Jewel: The 1983 Copper Penny ($10,000–$23,500)

Why It’s So Valuable

Most 1983 pennies were made from zinc (2.5 grams)
Only 7 copper specimens (3.11 grams) are confirmed to exist
The Denver Mint (1983-D) accidentally used old copper planchets
These were struck during the first year of full zinc transition

How to Check Yours:

Weigh It: A genuine copper penny should be 3.11g
Color Test: True copper has a deep red tone (not bright orange)
Magnet Test: Copper won’t stick — zinc might slightly attract

Record Sale: $23,500 (PCGS MS65 Brown, 2021 — Heritage Auctions)

Even one authentic 1983-D copper penny can change your life overnight.

Other 4 Valuable 1983 Penny Varieties

Variety	Circulated Value	Mint State Value	How to Identify
Doubled Die Obverse	$50–$200	$300–$2,000	Thick, doubled letters in “IN GOD WE TRUST”
Unplated Zinc Error	$100–$300	$500–$1,200	Silver-colored coin (missing copper coating)
Off-Center Strike	$5–$50	$100–$800	Design appears 10–50% off-center
Proof (S-Mint) PR70	—	$800–$1,500	Mirror finish with frosted design

Even these lower-tier errors can fetch hundreds or thousands if certified.

Where to Find Rare 1983 Pennies

Bank Rolls: Ask your local bank for 1980s penny boxes
Dealer “Junk Bins”: Some dealers overlook minor errors
Old Family Collections: Many valuable coins sit unnoticed for decades

Red Flags to Avoid:
Fake “rare 1983 penny” listings on eBay
Lightweight coins under 3.1g (not copper)
Artificial toning or painted finishes

How to Cash In If You Find One

Step 1: Get It Graded

Submit to PCGS or NGC — only certified coins bring full value

Step 2: Choose Your Selling Platform

Heritage Auctions: Best for copper errors and high-end sales
eBay: Great for lower-value errors (include close-up photos)

Step 3: Include Proof of Value

Photo of weight on scale
Arrow marking the error
“PCGS-Certified” or “NGC-Certified” in title

1984–2025 Market Outlook

Copper error values are up 60% since 2020
Registry collectors are paying higher premiums
Social media trends (TikTok, YouTube) are fueling record finds