1982-D Small Date Copper Cent: The Modern Rarity Nobody Knew Existed Until 2016

The Eighth Variety: Completing the 1982 Lincoln Cent Puzzle

For over three decades, collectors knew of seven varieties of the 1982 Lincoln Memorial cent — combinations of Philadelphia and Denver mintmarks, Large Date and Small Date dies, and copper (bronze) and zinc planchets. The eighth possible combination — 1982-D Small Date on a copper planchet — was theorized but had never been confirmed. Then, in 2016, collector Paul Malone of Minnesota found one.

The 1982 (D) Lincoln Memorial Cent — Small Date Bronze, one of the rarest modern U.S. coins. View in the NumisDex catalog.

Why 1982 Is the Most Complex Year for Lincoln Cents

In 1982, the U.S. Mint transitioned Lincoln cents from 95% copper (bronze) planchets weighing 3.1 grams to copper-plated zinc planchets weighing 2.5 grams. The change happened mid-year, and both the Philadelphia and Denver mints were also using two different date punches (Large Date and Small Date) simultaneously. This created the following matrix:

Mint	Date Size	Composition	Status
P	Large Date	Copper (3.1g)	Common
P	Large Date	Zinc (2.5g)	Common
P	Small Date	Copper (3.1g)	Common
P	Small Date	Zinc (2.5g)	Common
D	Large Date	Copper (3.1g)	Common
D	Large Date	Zinc (2.5g)	Common
D	Small Date	Zinc (2.5g)	Common
D	Small Date	Copper (3.1g)	2 known

The Denver Mint was supposed to have fully transitioned to zinc planchets before the Small Date die went into production. A few leftover bronze planchets remained in the hoppers and were struck with the Small Date dies — creating one of the rarest modern U.S. coins.

Only Two Confirmed Examples

As of mid-2026, only two 1982-D Small Date copper cents have been confirmed:

• First example (Paul Malone, 2016): Graded AU-58. Sold at Stack's Bowers Galleries on August 3, 2017 for $18,800.
• Second example (2019): Also graded AU-58. Sold at Heritage Auctions on April 25, 2019 for $10,800.

Both coins graded About Uncirculated, meaning they entered circulation briefly before being pulled. This makes sense — a coin this subtle would only be noticed by someone who weighed it or was specifically looking for the variety.

How to Check Your 1982 Cents

You need two things: a way to identify the date size, and a precision scale.

Step 1 — Identify the date size: The key difference is the numeral 8. On the Small Date, the top loop of the 8 is noticeably smaller than the bottom loop. On the Large Date, both loops of the 8 are roughly equal in size. The overall date is also slightly smaller and more tightly spaced on the Small Date variety.

Large Date (left) vs. Small Date (right) — note the difference in the top loop of the 8 and overall date spacing.

Step 2 — Weigh it: Use a digital scale accurate to at least 0.1 grams (0.01g preferred).

• If it weighs 3.0-3.2 grams, it's copper (bronze)
• If it weighs 2.4-2.6 grams, it's zinc

A 1982 copper cent on a precision scale — 3.1 grams confirms the heavier bronze composition.

What you're looking for: A 1982-D cent with the Small Date and a weight of 3.1 grams. If you find one, stop handling it immediately and seek professional authentication from PCGS or NGC.

Could More Exist?

Almost certainly. With billions of 1982 cents produced, only a tiny fraction have been weighed by collectors. The two known examples were both found in circulation — meaning they passed through many hands before being identified. There is no reason to believe only two were struck. If you have a jar of old pennies, 1982 is the year to check.

View all 1982 Lincoln cent varieties in the NumisDex catalog.