The 1982 Penny - Unfolding the Mystery!

[Silversound]

Since I've began collecting pennies I've been enamored with the 1982. First it began with identifying the difference between copper and zinc. Then I found out that there were different varieties within those two varieties. All said and done, I have discovered that there are 8 - yes, 8 different types of 1982 pennies. It would only make sense that there would be one or two of those that are extremely rare, but I have yet to find out any accurate or official reports as to the mintage numbers of each unique type. The only numbers that I have come across are the standard numbers based on mint marks - not on specific types. I've included those numbers for reference. On my quest to decipher the code I have begun to sort and classify the 8 different types of 1982 pennies so as to discover a relative grading of scarcity. Below are my current numbers after sorting 6 full boxes.

Copper
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Large Date
50 (11.1%)

Copper
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Small Date
2 (0.4%)

Copper
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Large Date
158 (35.1%)

Copper
Proof "S" Mint Mark (San Francisco)
0 (0.0%)

Zinc
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Large Date
212 (47.1%)

Zinc
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Small Date
1 (0.2%)

Zinc
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Large Date
12 (2.7%)

Zinc
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Small Date
15 (3.3%)

Margin of error= .1%

Here are the numbers provided by the mint:
1982 P: 10,712,525,000
1982 D: 6,012,979,368
1982 S: 3,857,479

So of the 16,729,361,847 1982 pennies in existence,
1982 P: 64%
1982 D: 35.9%
1982 S: Less than 0.1%

Of my #'s so far
P: 265
D:185
S: 0

For a total of: 450
Therefore my percentages are:
P: 59%
D: 41%

Considering I live in SoCal, the error to Denver's favor is understandable.

 

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[Mackaydon]

Silversound:
The 82 Ss were only proofs; not for circulation.

 

[dp2013]

Nice break down. From the early results it looks like the small dates both copper and zinc are the most scarce. Any AU's found in circulation might be worth keeping.

 

[FingerGrime]

Interesting!

 

[stevesnapper]

I decided to spend the break going through penny rolls. Went through 566 rolls = 28,300 pennies.

Copper
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Large Date
146 (20.7%)

Copper
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Small Date
5 (0.7%)

Copper
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Large Date
452 (64.0%)

Copper
Proof "S" Mint Mark (San Francisco)
1 (0.1%) --- yes I found one of these rolled up!

Zinc
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Large Date
71 (10.1%)

Zinc
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Small Date
2 (0.3%)

Zinc
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Large Date
11 (1.6%)

Zinc
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Small Date
18 (2.6%)


P: 224
D:481
S: 1

For a total of: 706

I live in Texas. The majority of pennies are from Denver, even dating this far back.

 

[Diver_Down]

Yet despite being enamored, you still insist on calling the cent a penny. Spoken like a true numismatist.

 

[7seasalior]

Here is another sample of statistics from a sort of 1982 US cents. Saved 50 lbs from shopping change from 1995 to 2012. Break down all years was 10 lbs. copper (pre'83) and 40 lbs. plated (post'82).
Out of 8800 cents there were 190 of 1982 date (~2%). For the 7 varieties here are the results. Even though this change was received in Calif ~60% of the 1982 cents were P mint.
1982 comprised:
Cu P lg date = 30 (16%)
Cu P sm date = 0
Cu D lg date = 60 (32%)
Zn P lg date = 80 (42%)
Zn P sm date = 4 (2%)
Zn D lg date = 6 (3%)
Zn D sm date = 10 (5%)

 

[aldork]

I used to think all 1982's were copper, so I had to go through my copper stash and sort them all out. Here's my results, as well as everyone's combined. I used ratios of the amount we found versus the published mint total to determine the approximate mintage by variety:

Lg P Cu 161 (387) 4.14B
Lg D Cu 717 (1387) 5.31B
sm P Cu 10 (17) 182M
Lg P Zn 215 (578) 6.20B
Lg D Zn 25 (54) 324M
sm P Zn 13 (20) 214M
sm D Zn 87 (130) 498M
Total 1228 (2573)

I feel it's necessary to point out that not all of the coins with no mint mark were actually minted in Philadelphia,

Denver 6,012,979,368
(Philadelphia) 7,135,275,000
(San Francisco) 1,587,245,000
(West Point) 1,990,005,000
Total w/o MM 10,712,525,000

 

[Dozer D]

What did you use to sort them out, copper vs zinc? A gram scale, rydale sorter, touch, color, sound? I ask only because I have several 1000's of '82 to sort, in order to get the varieties of mints etc for all of the 12-grandkids folders. I'm planning to get a pocket gram scale to distinguish the weight difference.

 

[iontyre]

Get the scale, it's a real time saver and most foolproof.

For some reason, I seem to find a HUGE excess of the copper 1982's. I've only found 2 zinc ( a Philly large and small), and dozens of copper, both large and small from both mints (only large from Denver, since they made no small copper), though mostly philly since I live in Maryland. Going by my finds, I'd think the zinc were quite rare! I despair of ever finding any 1982 D zinc cents...

 

[rfishoutofwater]

I use a scale and weigh all my 82's. Fool proof and easiest way to make sure of getting them right.

 

[aldork]

I used a scale as well, make sure you have one that's accurate to at least 0.1 grams though because they will both read as 3 grams otherwise. Zinc cents are 2.5 grams and copper cents are 3.0 or 3.1 grams. Or you could rig up your own scale like this guy did: 1982 P & D Large and Small Dates

 

[nomad 11]

so every penny itself has to be weighed?individually?because the coppers and zincs both mixed the p"s and the d's?why does the government do everything the hard way?why did'nt they just make all the zinc's at one mint and all the coppers at another?i just noticed this thread started 5 years ago.yikes!!is it worth all this trouble for 82's?when is the penny oops i mean the cent going to retire anyway?

 

[iontyre]

I feel it's necessary to point out that not all of the coins with no mint mark were actually minted in Philadelphia,

Denver 6,012,979,368
(Philadelphia) 7,135,275,000
(San Francisco) 1,587,245,000
(West Point) 1,990,005,000
Total w/o MM 10,712,525,000

I did not know the SF mint still produced circulating cents, just without a mintmark... reference for that?

 

[enamel7]

I did not know the SF mint still produced circulating cents, just without a mintmark... reference for that?

They don't. The reference is to the year 1982 which was a transition year and they needed to "pump up the volume".

 

[aldork]

Cents were minted for circulation at San Fran without a mint mark 1965-67 and 1978-83, at West Point from 1975-86. -- Coin World 2004 Guide to U.S. Coins

 

[Pinkbuckalew]

1982 no mint mark penny copper.. Or die on the obver as well as reverse letter & #s

There's no mint mark. Is that unusual for this cent and year..
Please review this link and cent for me I believe it is copper from the test and I can feel the weight difference. There is doubling of the letters on the obverse and the back as well as something on Lincoln ear and the memorial on the back possibly the steps and the statue. Thank you for your input on value and importance

 

[enamel7]

Welcome to the forum. Coins with no mint mark are from Philly. If you have doubling on the front and back it's probably mechanical doubling. No added value.

 

[Pete_Iredale]

What did you use to sort them out, copper vs zinc? A gram scale, rydale sorter, touch, color, sound? I ask only because I have several 1000's of '82 to sort, in order to get the varieties of mints etc for all of the 12-grandkids folders. I'm planning to get a pocket gram scale to distinguish the weight difference.

I built a little see saw type scale with a paint stick, a piece of dowling, and some rubber bands on one end for a counter weight. Just move the rubber bands round a bit until a copper penny trips it, and a zinc one doesn't. That said, after all of that, I figured out that I can always tell by just flipping the coin. Give it a good flip with your thumb nail. A copper coin will kind of hum in the air, while a zincoin sounds completely dead. Just a thud.

 

[shiggity]

A copper coin will kind of hum in the air, while a zincoin sounds completely dead. Just a thud.

Seconded. In fact, you can just hold the coin on your finger and tap the edge of it with another coin. It's actually easy to hear the difference between a zinc penny (clink), a copper one (ding), and a 1943 steel cent or flying eagle nickel cent (clack). No scale or whatever else required.