1982 Lincoln Memorial Cent Value Guide

The 1982 Lincoln Memorial Cent is a pivotal transitional issue in American numismatics, marking the official shift from 95% copper to a copper-plated zinc composition. This year is highly collectible due to the existence of eight distinct varieties resulting from two different metal compositions and two different date sizes across multiple mints.

What affects the value of 1982 Lincoln Memorial Cent?

• Composition type, as solid bronze (copper) versions are generally more desirable than the zinc-core counterparts.
• The specific variety combination, with the 1982-D Small Date Copper being the rarest and most valuable of the set.
• The physical condition and grade, specifically looking for 'Red' (RD) designations with original mint luster.
• The presence of the 'Small Date' vs 'Large Date' typography, which determines the specific variety category.

How to Identify 1982 Lincoln Memorial Cent?

• Use a precision scale to weigh the coin; copper versions weigh 3.11 grams while the newer zinc versions weigh only 2.5 grams.
• Examine the '1982' date size to distinguish between 'Large Date' varieties with a straight-top 2 and 'Small Date' varieties with a more curved 2.
• Check for the 'D' mint mark to identify Denver strikes, which include the rare 1982-D Small Date Copper variety.
• Look for a 'bubbling' texture on the surface, which is a common characteristic of the copper-plated zinc planchets compared to the smooth solid bronze.

History of 1982 Lincoln Memorial Cent

The Lincoln Cent was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The coin's design, created by Victor David Brenner, is one of the longest-running in US history. The reverse was changed from the Wheat Ears design to the Lincoln Memorial in 1959. The year 1982 is particularly noteworthy for collectors because the composition of the penny was changed mid-year from 95% copper to copper-plated zinc due to rising commodity costs, resulting in eight different varieties based on composition, size of the date, and mint mark.