What if the penny in your pocket was worth $1.5 million? 
That’s exactly what happened to a lucky collector who stumbled upon the legendary 1982 “LIPERTY” Lincoln Cent — a mind-blowing mint error that has become the holy grail of modern U.S. coin collecting.
Why This 1982 Penny Is Worth $1.5 Million
This isn’t just a typo — it’s one of the rarest minting errors ever recorded.
“LIPERTY” Error: The word LIBERTY on the obverse was struck as LIPERTY, missing the “B.”
Historic Transition Year: 1982 was when the U.S. Mint switched from copper to zinc planchets.
Only Two Known: Extreme rarity has driven collectors wild.
Record-Breaking Sale: One graded PCGS MS67+ RD sold privately for $1,500,000 in 2023!
Key Identification Features
If you think you’ve found one, here’s what to look for:
Obverse: “LIPERTY” instead of LIBERTY
Date: Must read 1982
Weight:
Copper planchet → 3.11 g (most valuable)- Zinc planchet → 2.50 g
Mint Mark: Look for “D” (Denver) — it brings a higher premium!
Quick 10-Second Authentication Test
Read the Legend: Must clearly show “LIPERTY”
Check the Date: Only 1982 pennies qualify
Weigh the Coin: Copper coins are the real jackpot
Current Market Value (As of 2024)
| Grade | Copper Version | Zinc Version |
|---|---|---|
| Circulated | $250,000 | $100,000 |
| MS65 RD | $750,000 | $300,000 |
| MS67+ RD | $1,250,000 – $1,500,000 | $500,000 |
Even a circulated LIPERTY cent could fund a luxury car — so never ignore an odd-looking 1982 penny! 
Beware of Fakes
Counterfeits are everywhere, so check carefully before celebrating.
Laser-engraved letters – Look unnatural and too sharp
Epoxy or glued letters – Peel off during acetone test
Wrong metal composition – Always verify the weight (3.11g or 2.50g only)
The Denver Mint Mystery
So how did this strange error escape the Mint? 
Possible Cause: Die damage during the copper-to-zinc composition transition
Known Examples:
- MS67+ RD – Sold for $1.5M in 2023 (private collection)
- AU-55 – Found in a Colorado bank roll in 2004
Experts at PCGS believe it might have been part of an experimental engraving test die that accidentally struck production coins.
“I used mine as a washer for 15 years before realizing its value!” — Original finder of the AU-55 specimen
What To Do If You Find One
If you suspect you’ve discovered a LIPERTY penny, don’t handle it carelessly — it could be worth your next home! 
Handle only with cotton gloves
Take macro photographs under good lighting
Submit to PCGS or NGC for authentication
Use armored or insured transport for shipment
Pro Tip for Treasure Hunters
While checking your 1982 coins, also look through your 1982–1983 Lincoln cents — many rare transitional composition errors exist from this same period! 
