Discover the value of your 1982 penny and learn about its history, rarity, and important factors that determine its worth. Find out how much your 1982 penny is worth today!
Are you looking for the 1982 penny value? It's essential to know just how many cents are on a coin. The difference between the face value and current value can help you determine if it's worth holding onto your coin or sending it to a dealer for a reasonable price.
You can estimate that value by looking at what other people have been paying them or their current recommended retail replacement cost values. Read on to learn the different values of 1982 pennies and provide a chart showing their current market price.
History of the 1982 Penny
The first pennies were minted in 1909 and were made of 100% copper. In 1943, the composition was changed to 95% copper and 5% zinc. The weight was reduced from 48 grains (3.1 grams) to 3.11 grams. Despite this change, the old-fashioned “large cent” remained popular until the Civil War when people began hoarding copper coins.
In 1964, the Mint introduced a new small cent made of 88% copper and 12% nickel to address this issue. The new design was about half the size of the large old cent and weighed just 1/20th of an ounce.
In 1964, another smaller cent was issued, made of bronze (95% copper, 5% tin, and zinc). This new cent became very popular and helped reduce the hoarding of copper coins.
In 1982, due to the rising costs of metals, the composition of the penny was changed again – this time to 97.5% zinc with a thin coating of copper on the surface to give it a reddish color (copper-plated zinc). While this change saved the Mint money in terms of production costs, it also caused some controversy as many people felt that pennies should be made to be used for vending machines.
The True Value of the 1982 Penny
The worth of the 1982 coin can be determined based on various elements such as its composition, rarity, condition, and the presence of errors. Additionally, collectors are showing a growing interest in vintage coins, such as the 1982 penny, potentially leading to its value far surpassing its face value in the future.
The 1982 penny is worth more than one cent. It is worth $4. The reason for this is that the composition of the coin was changed in 1982. Before 1982, pennies were made of copper. However, in 1982 the composition was changed to zinc and copper.
This change was made because the price of copper had risen dramatically, making it too expensive to use in pennies. The difference in composition caused the 1982 penny to be slightly smaller and lighter than pennies made before or after 1982.
While most believe that all pennies are made of copper, this isn't true. The value of a penny depends on its composition. Pennies minted before 1982 are made of 95% copper and 5% zinc. Pennies minted after 1982 are made of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.
The difference may not seem like much, but it makes a big difference in the value of the coins. A pre-1982 penny contains about 2.5 cents worth of copper, while a post-1982 penny only contains about 0.025 cents worth of copper – a difference of over 10X.
1982 Penny with No Mint Mark
The value of a penny with no mint mark depends on its condition and whether it is a pre-1982 or post-1982 coin. A well-circulated coin is worth about $1-$4, while a coin in the uncirculated condition is worth more than $4. A pre-1982 penny is worth more than a post-1982 penny due to the difference in composition.
1982 “D” Penny
The “D” penny is worth more than other pennies because it is from the early 1900s and is in better condition. The value of a “D” penny depends on its condition and the material used to mint it. A “D” copper penny with a significant date in good condition can be worth up to $0.80, while a “D” zinc penny with a big date may only be worth $0.30. a 1982 “D” zinc penny with a small date is worth $0.20.
1982 “S” Penny
The “S” penny is a coin minted by the United States Mint from 1909 to 1958. The “S” indicates that the coin was minted at the San Francisco Mint. The San Francisco Mint was the first U.S. Mint facility to produce coins on a large scale for circulation. Today, the “S” penny is one of the most popular coins among collectors.
Proof coins are specially made for collectors and have much more detail than regular circulating coins. Proof coins are struck multiple times with specially polished dies and planchets. The result is a coin with sharp relief and a brilliant surface.
The San Francisco Mint produced proof coins from 1909 to 1916 and from 1936 to 1942. In 1982, the San Francisco Mint began making proof coins again after a 20-year hiatus. These proof coins are highly sought after by collectors today and can sell at $2.
1982 Penny Value Chart
The 1982 Penny Value Chart shows that the price of a 1982 Penny has gone up every year since 1982. The chart below shows a penny's value based on its condition.
Mint Mark
Good
Fine
Extra Fine
Uncirculated
1982 copper penny has a large date with no mint mark
$ 0.04
$ 0.04
$ 0.50
$ 0.80
1982 copper penny has a small date with no mint mark
$ 0.04
$ 0.04
$ 0.50
$ 1.50
1982 “D” copper penny large date
$ 0.04
$ 0.04
$ 0.40
$ 0.80
1982 zinc penny large date with no mint mark
$ 0.04
$ 0.04
$ 0.30
$ 0.35
1982 zinc penny has a small date with no mint mark
$ 0.04
$ 0.04
$ 0.30
$ 0.50
1982 “D” zinc penny large date
$ 0.04
$ 0.04
$ 0.10
$ 0.30
1982 Copper Penny vs. 1982 Zinc Penny
When it comes to 1982 pennies, there are two main types: copper pennies and zinc pennies. Copper pennies are made of copper, while zinc pennies are made of zinc. Every kind of penny has its unique value.
Copper Pennies: Copper pennies were minted from 1909 to 1982. In 1982, the penny's composition was changed from primarily copper to zinc. As a result, copper pennies from 1909-1982 are worth more than their face value. The value of a copper penny depends on its condition and date. For example, a 1909 copper penny in good condition is worth about $0.50, while a 1916 copper penny in poor condition is only worth about $0.10.
Zinc Pennies: Zinc pennies were minted from 1982 to the present day. Unlike copper pennies, zinc pennies are not valuable simply because of their material composition. However, some older zinc pennies (1982 and before) can be worth more than face value if they’re in good condition or have an error. For example, a 1995 double die penny is worth about $20 in circulated condition.”
How Can You Tell The Difference Between A 1982 Small Date And A Big Date Coin?
You can tell the difference between a 1982 small date and a significant date coin by looking at the coin's details. To tell the difference between 1982 small date and big date coins, look at the bottom left of the smaller 2. There's no curve on the smaller one. The curve is only on the bottom left of “two” in the significant date. Also, look at how much room there is between 1 and 9 on the smaller one compared to 9 and 10 on the big date.
1982 Penny Errors
Penny errors can be valuable to collectors. A “No Mint Mark” penny was struck without a mint mark, indicating where it was made. A “Cracked Die Penny” has a cracked die, which can happen during manufacturing. A “Double Die Penny” was struck twice with different dies, resulting in doubled images.
Conclusion
After thorough research, we have compiled a penny value chart to help you determine the value of your pennies. As you can see from the chart, the value of a penny depends on its year and mint mark. The most valuable pennies are those small date bronze penny can go for up to $3,500. If you have any of these pennies, hold them, as they could be worth a lot of money.
