Most 1982 Lincoln pennies are only worth one cent… but a few hide a rare and life-changing mint error.
Only a handful of 1982 Small Date Copper pennies exist — and one of them sold for a staggering $300,000! 😱
At PennyVerse, we’ve verified some of these incredible finds. Here’s how to tell if your penny could be one of the lucky few.
📊 1982 Penny Value Chart (All Major Varieties)
| Variety | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value | Record Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal Zinc Penny | 1¢ | $1 – $5 | – |
| Large Date Copper | $5 – $50 | $100 – $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Small Date Copper (Rare) | $10,000+ | $50,000 – $300,000 | $300,000 |
| Doubled Die Obverse | $50 – $500 | $1,000 – $5,000 | $6,000 |
| Transitional Error | $200 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $50,000 | $72,000 |
💡 Did You Know?
Only 5 confirmed 1982 Small Date Copper pennies are known to exist — that’s 100 times rarer than the 1916-D Mercury Dime!
🔎 Step-by-Step: How to Identify the $300,000 Penny
1️⃣ Check the Date Style
- Small Date (RARE)
- Smaller, compact numbers
- The “2” has a flat top
- Large Date (COMMON)
- Numbers are bold and spread out
- The “2” has a rounded top
2️⃣ Test the Metal Composition
Use a digital scale ⚖️ to weigh your penny:
- 3.11g = Copper 🟢 (RARE & Valuable)
- 2.5g = Zinc 🔴 (Common)
🧲 Magnet Tip: Copper pennies won’t stick to a magnet. Zinc ones might slightly.
3️⃣ Check the Mint Mark
📍 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) → Only known Small Date Copper examples
📍 “D” (Denver) → Large Date Copper only (still worth hundreds!)
💎 Top 3 Most Valuable 1982 Pennies
1️⃣ 1982 Small Date Copper
💰 Value: $50,000 – $300,000
🧭 Key ID: Tiny date + 3.11g weight
2️⃣ 1982-D Copper Large Date
💰 Value: $500 – $2,500
🧭 Key ID: “D” mintmark + copper composition
3️⃣ 1982 Doubled Die Obverse
💰 Value: $1,000 – $6,000
🧭 Key ID: Thick or overlapping letters in “LIBERTY”
🏦 Where to Find These Rare Pennies
✅ Best Places to Search:
- Old bank penny rolls
- Estate sales or coin collections
- Coin dealer “junk bins”
🚫 Avoid:
- “Unsearched” eBay rolls (usually picked through)
- Artificially darkened coins
💰 How to Sell for Maximum Profit
Best Platforms:
- 🏛 Heritage Auctions (great for copper errors)
- 💻 eBay (upload clear date photos)
- 💬 Coin forums (sell to serious collectors)
Pro Tips:
✔ Get your penny certified by PCGS or NGC
✔ Include weight, date, and mint mark photos
✔ Never clean your coin — it kills the value! 🚫
📈 2024–2025 Market Trends
🔥 Small Date Copper penny prices are up 90% since 2018
📱 TikTok and YouTube videos are boosting awareness
💰 Experts predict the next discovery could sell for $500,000+!
🎁 Free PennyVerse Tools
Want to boost your coin hunting skills? Grab our free collector tools:
✅ 1982 Penny Error Checklist
✅ Date Style Comparison Guide
✅ Live Q&A with Copper Experts
👉 Found a 1982 Penny?
📩 Send photos to 555-PENNY-VERSE for an instant appraisal!
🎯 Final Verdict
✅ Most 1982 pennies = 1¢
💎 Small Date Copper = $10,000 – $300,000
🕐 It only takes 60 seconds to check your change!
