Here is the difference. It's easy to see. Feel free to share this image and point others to this thread.
The point of BadThad's pictures is to show the the significant difference in the distance from the 2 to the rim. On the small date you could almost put another 2 in there. you couldn't come close to doing that on the large date. That separation of the 2 from the rim is a VERY easy to see diagnostic.
Yes, the small date zinc and copper coins have lower mintages. The biggest difference is between the LDC and SDC, the 1982 LDC mintage was huge and, what I believe, the SDC has the lowest mintage of the entire 1982 series. https://www.pcgs.com/prices/detail/lincoln-cent-modern/47/most-active
This is one of the most often asked questions in ALL coin forums. Honestly, I'm sick of telling people when the difference is so obvious.....so here it is!
great illustrations guys. a lot of people will be educated on this coin because of those examples and explanations. thats how we all have learned this art over the years. good job
The only problem is that the question will still be asked until the end of time. Newbies will not see this thread and not realize the difference. The only way they will see it is if we lead them to this thread.
what is the difference between the small date and large date, and how can i tell? ok, ok, just kidding. i look at igwt and liberty to id. it just seems easier on my eyes, and my vision doesn't start going wacky staring at the small numbers.