the real skinny on 1982 pennies.

I look at many 1982 pennies. I still don't know for certain if I'm seeing large or small date. Is it more about the shape of the 2?
Or more about how the 8 is bigger relative to the 2?

As best as I can tell I have all large date.

 

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Thank you Dougmeister!
Based on that I think what I have is:
3X 1982P small date zinc
4x 1982P large date zinc
1X 1982D small date zinc
2X 1982D large date zinc
Ox 1982P small date copper
1X 1982P large date copper
1x 1982D small date copper
8X 1982D large date copper

These results are only about 60% certain.

 

http://www.lincolncentresource.com/smalldates/1982.html

 

Based on that info I have one zinc 1982D.
I believe that is all of my 82s.
Although I think there might be a few more P mint.

 

The 1982-D small date copper is incredibly rare.
They have sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
I doubt you have one, but it's possible.

 

The photos above are an excellent way to differentiate the coins but also, in general, you will find the large dates to be much sloppier in their formation than the small dates.

 

Yes the Liberty is clearer as is we.
I just found a copper large date D.

 

Small and large date 82's are very easy to tell apart. Just pay attention to the distance from the rim:

 

Small date seems almost as rare as hens teeth.

 

I could imagine that many millions of the 7 different varieties were squirreled away back then and still are. As happens when anything out of the norm is done by the Mint. I can still remember the fever for the 1995 cent doubled dies when the first was discovered. It was the first major doubled die since 1972 and once again the hunt was on to cash in on them. I don't count in the 1984 doubled ear variety as that was not discovered until some time after they were released.

 

9x 82D 8 copper and 1 zinc. Each and Every one large date.

 

Yes, I did not include the newly discovered varieties.

 

I have a 1982 small date copper with out d. Is that valuable?

 

Only in Mint State 65 or better. Lesser a grade is under $1.00.

 

Thank you, can I ask you two other questions please, 1st if I have a 1982 small zinc d should I hold onto it? And second can you tell me what is wrong with this penny?

 

What I said about hens teeth. This is not every single 1982 penny in my possession.
But it's running 39 - 1 large against small.
And my small is a zinc D.

 

That one we would need to see pictures of. Currently one one example is known.

 

Also I'm running about 80-85% copper.
Zinc 82 seems to be fairly rare too.

 

Here are the prices for MINT STATE condition. The circulated coins aren't worth much. (I assume the S is a proof coin only.)

1982 P Copper - Large Date 0.35
1982 P Copper - Small Date 0.50
1982 D Copper - Large Date 0.30
1982 S Copper 2.52
1982 P Zinc - Large Date 0.50
1982 P Zinc - Small Date 0.81
1982 D Zinc - Large Date 0.40
1982 D Zinc - Small Date 0.30