1982 Penny

Last updated: September, 26 2024
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A 1982 Penny has a value on average of $5.50, but one well worn beyond recognition will be worth just 25 cents. Serious collectors called numismatics want to buy and sell these coins in mint state, certified, and slabbed (in a hard permanent case). 1982 1C specimens professionally graded are worth about $55.00 with some specimens being worth substantially more. These coins have about 4 varieties. Small and large date, and copper and zinc versions. For a better price breakdown scroll down to see the Advanced Price List


1982 Penny
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  • Year: 1982
  • Mint Mark: No mint mark
  • Type: Lincoln Penny
  • Price: 25 cents-$55.00+
  • Face Value: 0.01 USD
  • Produced: 10,712,525,000
  • Edge: Smooth






Notes: In 1982 there were many varieties minted. There were Large and Small Date Copper P. Large and Small Date Zinc P. As well as Large D Coppers and Large and Small D Zinc Pennies. 1982 D Small Date Coppers are the most valuable 1982 Pennies issued.

1982 Large and Small date Guide

1982 Small vs Large Date

What about 1982 Penny Errors?

Quick list of errors includes the usual clipped planchet, off center, and double die. Added to this list is a 1982 small date 3.1g.

Penny Errors for 1982

3.1g Small Date 1982 $300-$5,000

The small date from 1982 was meant to be issued from zinc, but there are some instances where it was by accident created from a copper planchet. This error is seriously hard to spot. You literally have to find a small date 1982 and then weigh it on a digital scale. If it read 3.1 and not 2.8g then this coin might be and error. These are selling for up to $4,000 in good condition.

Struck on 10c Planchet $50-$500+-

This error occurs when a 10c dime planchet is struck by the 1c penny die. There is another variation where this coin is re-struck on and already created dime.

Restruck on Dime $350-$2000

Similar to the error listed above but this time it was restruck OVER an already created dime. This one has the Roosevelt dimes head outline. These coins are no longer silver.

Clipped Planchet $10-$65

Improperly clipped planchet then struck with a 1c Lincoln die.

There are both curved clip (looks like a crescent cut), and straight clipped specimens to be had.

Off Center $35-$100

Off center strike by die to the 1c planchet creates this error. These are fairly common and rarely worth more than $100

Where do I sell my coin?

There really is no simple cut and dry answer to this. We wrote an article title Where to sell my coins that addresses the 3 most popular and successful ways to sell your coins. That might help.

Mintages

Production Chart




Market Trends & Insights

The 1982 P cents, especially the small and large, bronze and zinc varieties, are getting the most attention this year. Their values are explained in more detail below, and as such very little attention is being paid to higher end certified coins.

Visualizing the Market

Sales Graph (enlarge)

Questions & Comments


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Henry H.: Thanks for such detailed information very helpful Large Date and Small date photo. Posted: October 6, 2022 8:08 pm



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Admin : Thanks again Henry! It's easier to decipher when you look at the year next to the mint mark as a reference. Its a littler harder when there is no mint mark. Reply posted: May 25, 2024 10:09 am



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Johna Thurstan: How do you tell if it's zinc or brass / bronze? 1982 was a confusing year. Posted: November 6, 2022 4:12 pm



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Admin : Sorry for late reply Johna just saw this. The best way to tell is to weigh them with a cheap digital scale you can get off amazon or even a place like harbor freight. They will weigh 2.5g if they are zinc and 3.11g if copper. Copper will feel heavier and have a little more heft. Most coins from 1982 are going to be copper as they were using left over copper penny planchets from years past. Copper also may also have a patina as it has been oxidizing for a few decades. Hope this helps! Reply posted: May 25, 2024 10:10 am



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Edgarus : Donde la puedo vender ? Posted: February 6, 2024 2:38 pm



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Admin : 1982 Lincoln 1c coin prices and details have been updated. Post any questions or comments here. Posted: June 8, 2024 1:48 am




Price Chart

Rates listed here refer to professionally graded and slabbed coins. If new to collecting the prices below might not make sense.


1982 Large Date Bronze - Rates for Color RD when possible. Use middle range for Red Brown, and lower range for Brown.

  • Grade AU58 = $2-$3
  • Grade MS60 = $6-$5
  • Grade MS61 = $6-$10
  • Grade MS62 = $9-$15
  • Grade MS63 = $15-$25
  • Grade MS64 = $21-$35
  • Grade MS65 = $31-$51
  • Grade MS66 = $45-$75
  • Grade MS67 = $75-$125
  • Grade MS68 = $825-$1,375

1982 Small Date Bronze - Rates for Color RD when possible. Use middle range for Red Brown, and lower range for Brown.

  • Grade AU55 = $2-$3
  • Grade AU58 = $2-$4
  • Grade MS60 = $9-$8
  • Grade MS61 = $9-$15
  • Grade MS62 = $11-$19
  • Grade MS63 = $17-$28
  • Grade MS64 = $21-$35
  • Grade MS65 = $38-$63
  • Grade MS66 = $68-$113
  • Grade MS67 = $600-$1,000
  • Grade MS68 = $2,100-$3,500

1982 Large Date Zinc - Rates for Color RD when possible. Use middle range for Red Brown, and lower range for Brown.

  • Grade MS60 = $3-$3
  • Grade MS61 = $3-$5
  • Grade MS62 = $5-$8
  • Grade MS63 = $8-$13
  • Grade MS64 = $11-$18
  • Grade MS65 = $15-$25
  • Grade MS66 = $23-$38
  • Grade MS67 = $49-$81
  • Grade MS68 = $113-$188

1982 Small Date Zinc - Need more research to provide accurate data. Prices below questionable.

  • Grade MS65 = $2-$3
  • Grade MS66 = $30-$50
  • Grade MS67 = $75-$125


Is the list above a little overwhelming? If so, take 5 minutes to learn all about Coin Grading.


It's also important to note...Prices are subject to the same supply and demand laws as everything else. Coins sold at the same auction house 10x, would fetch drastically different bids each session. To raise your chances of receiving top dollar read How to Get the Most for your Coins.


We've personally researched these values. If you enjoy our content please return the favor and share this page with your friends.


How much is a 1982 Penny worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around 25 cents, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $55 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1982, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].


What are your coins really worth?

Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any lincoln penny in your collection.


how much is your penny worth


Specs & Design

This coin has a total mass of 2.5 g, a diameter of 19.05 mm, and a thickness of 1.52 mm. It's edge is Smooth, and the coins are composed of 95% Copper Pre 1982, 97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper after 1982.


Designer: Victor D. Brenner (obv), Lyndall Bass (rev)


Front (Obverse): The obverse or front of this coin contains the bust of President Lincoln the 16th president of the United States. The words In God We Trust are engraved in an arching manner on the top most portion of this coin. The date is present along with the mint mark. If the mark is missing the coin was issued from the Philadelphia mint. With the exception of 2017 P, the only year to contain a P mint mark to honor the 225th anniversary of the United States Mint.


Back (Reverse): The reverse of this coin has been described as Lincoln Memorial design. Nice clean lines on the steps and buildings are important for a decent grade. The Lincoln Memorial replaced the reverse after the last Wheat Cent was issued in 1958.


Most Valuable

The most valuable Lincoln Penny's. Prices listed are for MS-65 certified. Visit the link to learn more about each coin.

Image Year Mint Worth
Lincoln Penny Image 1967 $55
Lincoln Penny Image 1982 $55
Lincoln Penny Image 2000 $50
Lincoln Penny Image 2000 D $40
Lincoln Penny Image 1964 $38
Lincoln Penny Image 1959 D $35
Lincoln Penny Image 2000 S $35
Lincoln Penny Image 1962 D $32
Lincoln Penny Image 1969 $31
Lincoln Penny Image 1971 S $30
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Image Name Mint Worth

Want more? Click here to see the most valuable coins ever minted.

***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value. Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.

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