1982-D Small Date Copper Penny – A Hidden $18,800 Fortune!

Coin lovers are ever vigilant for those rare and high-price cash, and possibly none is greater fascinating than the discovery of the 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny. At first glance, this simple old penny appears infrequently well worth a glance, but but it has bought for a file $18,800 at auction. So, why is the coin so valuable? Let’s take a deeper look at its records, its distinguishing traits, and how you can tell when you have one in your inventory.

The Story Behind the 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny

In 1982, the U.S. Mint shifted from making pennies that had been ninety five% copper to a brand new zinc material with handiest a thin copper plating. This was due to increasing copper fees, which made it extra highly-priced to make pennies than their face fee. In this transition period, there have been various variations of the 1982 penny produced, with seven known variations having one of a kind dates, sizes, and materials.

Among those varieties, the 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny stands proud as a primary rarity. While the Denver Mint in the main produced the brand new zinc composition, some copper pennies with the small date layout had been mistakenly struck, making them extraordinarily uncommon and treasured.

What Makes It Worth $18,800?

The 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny is valuable for several reasons:

• Minting Error: The U.S. Mint was supposed to produce the small date variety only in zinc, but a few copper planchets were accidentally used.
• Extreme Rarity: Only a handful of these coins have ever been discovered, making them one of the rarest modern pennies in circulation.
• High Demand: Coin collectors and investors are willing to pay thousands for a verified 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny.
• Auction Records: One of these rare pennies was sold for $18,800, setting a benchmark for future discoveries.

How to Identify a 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny

To see if you own one of these worth-while coins, strive those steps:

1. Examine the Mint Mark: See if there may be the “D” mint mark at the bottom of the date, this means that it become struck at Denver.
2. Spot the Small Date: The “2” in “1982” must be thinner and dainty looking, unique from the big date version.
3. Measure the Weight: Use an electronic scale to degree the burden of the coin:
   • Copper pennies weigh 3.11 grams
   • Zinc pennies are 2.Five grams
   • If your 1982-D Small Date Penny weighs three. Eleven grams, you could have an extraordinary one!
4. Get It Authenticated: If you believe you studied you have got the rare penny, have it dispatched to a expert grading company like PCGS or NGC to confirm authenticity.

Market Value and Notable Sales

Rarity of the 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny drastically increases its value with collectors. Up until now, only two of such coins have been found:

• First Discovery (2016): Paul Malone observed this coin in Minnesota and it became graded AU-fifty eight (About Uncirculated). It changed into bought for $18,800 in an auction in 2017.
• Second Discovery (2019): This piece graded the same AU-fifty eight became licensed by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).

The high auction prices are a testament to the coin’s rarity and popularity among numismatists.​

Comparative Analysis of 1982 Penny Varieties

To better understand the rarity of the 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny, it’s useful to compare it with other 1982 penny varieties:

Variety	Composition	Mint Mark	Date Style	Weight (grams)	Approximate Value (MS65)
1982 Large Date Copper	Copper	None	Large	3.1	$5 – $10
1982 Small Date Copper	Copper	None	Small	3.1	$15 – $25
1982-D Large Date Copper	Copper	D	Large	3.1	$5 – $10
1982-D Small Date Copper	Copper	D	Small	3.1	Up to $18,800
1982 Large Date Zinc	Zinc	None	Large	2.5	$1 – $5
1982 Small Date Zinc	Zinc	None	Small	2.5	$1 – $5
1982-D Large Date Zinc	Zinc	D	Large	2.5	$1 – $5
1982-D Small Date Zinc	Zinc	D	Small	2.5	$1 – $5

Factors Behind the Value of the Coin

Some factors contribute to the high value of the 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny:

1. Rarity: Having only two known examples, its rarity is a key factor in its value.​
2. Historical Significance: Being a transitional error in a critical change in coin material, it occupies a special niche in numismatic history.​
3. Condition: About Uncirculated (AU) or better coins are especially sought after.
4. Collector Demand: The fascination with unusual mint errors creates demand and pushes prices higher.

Where to Find One

Many rare pennies, including the 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny, had been discovered in stream, old piggy banks, and coin rolls. Checking your spare change, mainly older rolls of pennies, could cause a lifestyles-changing discover!

Conclusion

The 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny is a traditional example of ways minting defects can bring about the manufacturing of extraordinarily rare and treasured coins. Its discovery serves to highlight the cost of close inspection and information inside the place of coin accumulating. For collectors and enthusiasts, this penny is a reminder that numismatic gemstones are still out there, highlighting the lengthy-time period attraction of the hobby.

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