The 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny – One of the Rarest Modern Cents

Most people don’t pay attention to pennies—they’re usually tossed in drawers, jars, or given as change and quickly forgotten. But did you know that one special penny from 1982 could be worth thousands of dollars? It’s true, and the key to spotting it lies in tiny details. The 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny is one of the rarest modern coins in U.S. history. It was created during a unique time in U.S. coin production, and by accident, a few were made using the wrong metal. Today, this penny is considered a modern treasure. If you find one, you could be holding a coin worth over $10,000.

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Coin Name: 1982-D Small Date Copper Lincoln Penny

The story of this rare penny starts in 1982. That year, the U.S. Mint made a big change in how pennies were made. Until mid-1982, pennies were made of 95% copper, but to save money on materials, the Mint switched to using zinc with a thin copper coating. As a result, both copper and zinc pennies were produced during the same year. In addition to the metal change, there were also two different date styles used: Large Date and Small Date. These styles look slightly different, especially in how the numbers “8” and “2” appear.

The Denver Mint (marked with a “D” under the date) was only supposed to make zinc-based pennies with the Small Date style. However, a few copper blanks accidentally made it into the press—resulting in the 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny, a coin that was never meant to exist. Only one confirmed example has been found so far. This makes it an extremely rare mint error, possibly unique, and highly valuable.

Why This Penny Is So Rare and Valuable

Here’s what makes this coin stand out:

• Wrong metal used: It’s a copper coin that was supposed to be zinc.
• Mint mark + date style combo: Only the 1982-D Small Date in copper is rare—others from that year are common.
• Accidental production: It was created by mistake and not discovered until years later.
• Very few exist: So far, only one example has been officially confirmed and graded.

This lone known coin was authenticated and graded by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), and it sold at auction for over $18,000 in 2017. If more are found, they could be worth similar or even higher amounts.

How to Identify a 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny

Think you might have one? Here’s what to check:

1. Look at the date style: In the Small Date version, the “2” is level with the “1” and the “8” has a smaller, more closed loop.
2. Check the mint mark: It must have a “D” mint mark below the date.
3. Weigh the coin: A copper penny weighs 3.11 grams, while a zinc penny weighs only 2.5 grams. Use a digital scale for accuracy.
4. Test the metal: Use a magnet (copper and zinc are not magnetic) and compare sound and feel.
5. Get professional help: If you think your coin is real, send it to PCGS or NGC for grading and authentication.

Many people mix up the date styles or guess by color—don’t rely on looks alone. Weight and mint details are key.

Table: Quick Facts – 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny

Feature	Details
Year	1982
Mint	Denver (“D” Mint Mark)
Metal	Copper (95%)
Date Style	Small Date
Known Examples	Only 1 confirmed
Weight	3.11 grams
Estimated Value	$10,000 to $18,000+

The 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny proves that even modern coins can become incredibly rare and valuable. What started as a simple change in metal turned into one of the most exciting discoveries in recent coin collecting history. With just one confirmed coin known today, it remains a mystery whether more are out there. So next time you’re going through spare change or old coin jars, pay attention to the details—you might just uncover a hidden treasure worth thousands. A penny might be small, but this one has a story—and a price tag—that’s truly big.

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