How much should a 1982 D Large Date penny weigh?

Due to rising production costs the United States Mint experimented with several variations in the metal composition and design of the 1982 Lincoln cent. The copper coins weigh 3.1 grams, while the zinc coins weigh 2.5 grams.

Is there a 1982 D Large Date copper penny?

Why is a 1982 penny worth $10000?

The last year pennies were made from copper was 1982. … Before you cash in on the $10,000, the penny has to be graded and certified. That can be expensive. Once the penny is certified, you can call McPheeters at 918-923-7325.

How much should a 1982 small date penny weigh?

about 3.1 grams
There are two key diagnostics: the size of the date and the coin’s weight. The 1982-D small date bronze weighs about 3.1 grams, versus only 2.5 grams for the far more common zinc issue.

How rare is a 1982 small date copper penny?

The 1982-P Small Date copper Lincoln cent is one of the most difficult memorial cents to find in high grade condition. They are scarce even in MS64 and MS65 grades. It is one of the most difficult varieties to find in high grade out of all seven different varieties of this date.

What is a 1982 penny supposed to weigh?

0.088 oz
The current US pennies used since the introduction of the Lincoln penny in 1982 weighs 0.088 oz (2.49 g) and are made of copper-plated zinc. The composition of 0.088 oz (2.49 g) of the Lincon penny is brass, which includes 95% of copper, and 5% zinc. The thickness of a penny is 0.06 in (1.52 mm).

How do I know if my 1982 penny is worth money?

The 1982 copper penny with no mint mark and the small date is worth around $0.50 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade. The 1982 D copper penny is worth around $0.30 in uncirculated condition with an MS 65 grade.

How do you tell if my 1982 penny is copper or zinc?

If your Lincoln Memorial penny has a date before 1982, it is made of 95% copper. If the date is 1983 or later, it is made of 97.5% zinc and plated with a thin copper coating. For pennies dated 1982, when both copper and zinc cents were made, and best way to determine their composition is to weigh them.

How much is a 1982 copper penny worth?

The Copper and Zinc in a Penny

A pre-1982 penny consists of 95% copper and 5% zinc. 4 It contains about 2.95 grams of copper, and there are 453.59 grams in a pound. 5 The price of copper on Dec. 10, 2019, was $2.75 a pound.

Why is the 1982 penny so rare?

The most valuable 1982 penny is a transitional error caused by the move from 95% copper to 99.2% zinc composition. It’s the 1982-D “small date” Lincoln Memorial cent made from copper. … Leftover copper planchets struck with the new “Small Date” dies meant for zinc coins caused this error coin rarity.

Why is a 1982 penny worth so much?

So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years. So a penny produced before 1982 is worth 2.2 cents based on the metal it contains.