Small date or large date

Hi I know A 1982 zinc penny isn't worth much but I wanted to know if this is considered a small date or a large date... The 1 is a little damage but the 1 8 2 do all line up.

 

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Large date and still just a cent.Keep an eye out for the bronze type they weigh around 3.11 grams and only a few have been found.

 

I have the hardest time discerning small dates from large...both on the 1960 and the 1982. Maybe it's just because I haven't been doing it for a long time.

 

@Pennychica @love old coins . Here ya go >>>

 

Notice the curvature and the Pointed 2 compared to the not so pointed tip of the 2 .

 

I have that pic saved on my laptop but I still have some difficulty...I've found some other clues here and there and I try to apply that knowledge too. Thanks Sal!

 

@love old coins . I forgot to mention the lines above and one through the Date. Also, The 8' are different as well . One has equal size circles and one has a small circle over a larger circle .

 

Thanks Sal, that's very helpful!

 

Common large date

 

That would be the small date.

 

The bottom of the 8 looks lower than the bottom of the 2, making it a large date. Please explain.

 

Potty dollar said to look for the copper ones, omitting it has to be a small date Denver minted coin.

 

Thanks for explaining that. Now it makes sense.

 

Distance of the 2 to the rim is also a giveaway in most cases. The small date is farther from the rim than the width of the bottom of the 2, and large date it's about half the width of the 2.

 

When looking at large and small date 1982 cents, I always focus on the 8 as it looks more like a snowman with the smaller top. When the transition was made in 1982, several companies (Littleton being one) were selling the complete sets, copper large and small, zinc large and small, so there are a lot still out there, but if it ain't copper, it ain't for me. LOL