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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;CamaroDMD, post: 606707, member: 5233&quot;]There are many aspects of numismatics that can be challenging.&nbsp; The Lincoln Cent series is full of such challenges and is probably the most collected series of US coins.&nbsp; The common 1982 cent is one of those many challenges that seems to trouble collectors both new and old.&nbsp; So, I thought I would put together a simple guide to help identify the 1982 Lincoln cent.</p><p><br /></p><p>Before 1982, the Lincoln Cent was made on a 95% copper planchet.&nbsp; Due to the cost of materials, a planchet change was needed in the 1980s.&nbsp; It was decided that a change to a 99.2% zinc planchet plated with copper was the economical alternative.&nbsp; So, that change was made in 1982.&nbsp; Unfortunately for collectors, the change was made in the middle of 1982 resulting in some cents comprised of 95% copper and others 99% zinc with no obvious way to tell them apart.&nbsp; To make matters worse, during the same year the font size of the date was changed from large to small…also midyear.&nbsp; The typical annual release of two different circulation cents (Philadelphia and Denver) suddenly become seven for 1982.</p><p><br /></p><p>The 1982 Lincoln Cent circulation release was as follows:</p><p><br /></p><p>1982 Copper, Large Date</p><p>1982 Copper, Small Date</p><p>1982 Zinc, Large Date</p><p>1982 Zinc, Small Date</p><p>1982-D Copper, Large Date</p><p>1982-D Zinc, Large Date</p><p>1982-D Zinc, Small Date</p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Planchet Identification</u></b></p><p>The most difficult part of identifying these is by planchet.&nbsp; The only way to do so is by weight.&nbsp; If you have a scale, this is very easy.&nbsp; The copper planchet weighs 3.11g and the zinc planchet weighs 2.5g.&nbsp; But, if you are like me…you probably don’t have a scale.&nbsp; So, I have created a guide to make a simple popsicle scale.</p><p><br /></p><p><u>Supplies</u></p><p>Popsicle Stick</p><p>Scissors</p><p>Scotch Tape</p><p>Ruler</p><p>Pencil</p><p>Drinking Straw</p><p>3 Lincoln Cents of known weight (2 zinc, 1 copper) – 1983 or newer for zinc and 1981 or older for copper (<b>not</b> 1943)</p><p><br /></p><p>Take the popsicle stick (I have used a tongue depressor…but it’s all the same) and measure it.&nbsp; Find the middle and draw a straight line with the pencil.&nbsp; It is important that you get the line centered on the popsicle stick as best as you can.&nbsp; It doesn’t have to be perfect but the closer the better.</p><p style="text-align: center"> <img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/RichieB16/Dscn6220.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Now, cut a piece of the drinking straw and tape it to the over the line.&nbsp; The straw will serve as the fulcrum for the scale.</p><p style="text-align: center"> <img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/RichieB16/Dscn6221.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Next, flip the scale over.&nbsp; On one end, tape a <b>zinc</b> cent right up against the end.&nbsp; Use the roundness of the cent and the edge of the stick to make sure you get it right on the end.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center"> <img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/RichieB16/Dscn6223.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>You have now completed your scale.&nbsp; Next, test it.&nbsp; You should have one known zinc cent and a copper cent remaining.&nbsp; Place one on the opposite end of the scale right up against the edge and see how it reacts.&nbsp; It should be pretty close to balancing with the zinc and the copper should go to the ground like a rock.&nbsp;&nbsp; Here is a picture of my test.&nbsp; Although the zinc isn’t perfectly balanced…it is obvious which is the zinc and which is the copper (zinc is top, copper is bottom).</p><p style="text-align: center"> <img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/RichieB16/test.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>You can now sort your 1982 Lincoln’s by weight to determine which is copper and which is zinc.&nbsp; Keep the scale and reuse it.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Date Size Identification</u></b></p><p>The hard part is now over.&nbsp; But, you still have to sort the cents by date size.&nbsp; Simply compare them.&nbsp; The large dates have a much fatter looking “8” in the date then the small date cents.&nbsp; The base of the “2” is also a fairly easy difference to see.&nbsp; Here is a comparison picture which illustrates the differences.&nbsp; Compare your cents to the pictures and to each other and you should be able to tell them apart.</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center"> <img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/RichieB16/size.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>You now have all the tools needed to identify all 7 types of circulation 1982 Lincoln Cents.&nbsp; I hope this guide has been helpful to you.&nbsp; Thanks for reading. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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