1982 (P) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Zinc Large Date - CU-1C-1982-57 Cud

Description

CU-1C-1982-57 is a cud on the 1982 Zinc Large Date Lincoln Memorial cent. The zinc-core planchet that defines this subtype — 2.5 grams of nearly pure zinc coated with a thin copper layer — was an engineering solution to a decades-old cost problem. Prior attempts to change the cent's composition had been considered and rejected throughout the 1970s, but by 1982, copper prices had risen to the point where inaction was no longer an option. The Mint's solution preserved the cent's visual identity while reducing its intrinsic metal value to a fraction of face value — a practical achievement that ensured the denomination's continued economic viability. Dies striking this lighter, softer planchet experienced a different stress profile than those striking bronze, and the cuds documented across both compositions provide a comparative dataset for understanding how planchet properties influence die longevity. Attribution by Cuds on Coins.

Cross References

• CU-1C-1982-57

External References