How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) – Our parents taught us the value of saving our change. The coins add up, but some are more valuable than others.

"The price of copper moved up so much during the late 70's, they no longer could afford to use copper as the main base metal," said Ron Mirr, Owner of Liberty Coins.

So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years. So a penny produced before 1982 is worth 2.2 cents based on the metal it contains.

In 2007, the U.S. Mint implemented outlawed melting down pennies for profit. The fear -- a coin shortage, and the cost to replace those coins. Last year, the U.S. Mint made more than 4 billion pennies, each one costing 2.4 cents to create.

"Because of the price of base metals getting more expensive, I could see them eventually probably doing away with the penny," Mirr added.

There is a small market for pre 1982 pennies. On eBay, a lot of 5000 pennies has a face value of $50, but it will sell for $60.

"The coins before 1982 in uncirculated rolls, they'll probably see in 15 or 20 years, those rolls could double or triple in value," Mirr said.

A few buyers are holding out hope that the U.S. Mint will one day get rid of the penny and their collection will pay off.

This section is more for experienced collectors only, and rates refer only to professionally graded and slabbed coins. If you are new to collecting the prices below may not make much sense.


Breakdown of pricing per condition for 1982 Penny as follows.


  • 1982 Large Date Bronze - Rates for Color RD when possible. Use middle range for Red Brown, and lower range for Brown.

  • Grade AU58 = $2-$3
  • Grade MS60 = $6-$5
  • Grade MS61 = $6-$10
  • Grade MS62 = $9-$15
  • Grade MS63 = $15-$25
  • Grade MS64 = $21-$35
  • Grade MS65 = $31-$51
  • Grade MS66 = $45-$75
  • Grade MS67 = $75-$125
  • Grade MS68 = $825-$1,375

  • 1982 Small Date Bronze - Rates for Color RD when possible. Use middle range for Red Brown, and lower range for Brown.

  • Grade AU55 = $2-$3
  • Grade AU58 = $2-$4
  • Grade MS60 = $9-$8
  • Grade MS61 = $9-$15
  • Grade MS62 = $11-$19
  • Grade MS63 = $17-$28
  • Grade MS64 = $21-$35
  • Grade MS65 = $38-$63
  • Grade MS66 = $68-$113
  • Grade MS67 = $600-$1,000
  • Grade MS68 = $2,100-$3,500

  • 1982 Large Date Zinc - Rates for Color RD when possible. Use middle range for Red Brown, and lower range for Brown.

  • Grade MS60 = $3-$3
  • Grade MS61 = $3-$5
  • Grade MS62 = $5-$8
  • Grade MS63 = $8-$13
  • Grade MS64 = $11-$18
  • Grade MS65 = $15-$25
  • Grade MS66 = $23-$38
  • Grade MS67 = $49-$81
  • Grade MS68 = $113-$188

  • 1982 Small Date Zinc - Need more research to provide accurate data. Prices below questionable.

  • Grade MS65 = $2-$3
  • Grade MS66 = $30-$50
  • Grade MS67 = $75-$125


Is the list above a little overwhelming? If so, take 5 minutes to learn all about Coin Grading.


It's also important to note...Prices are subject to the same supply and demand laws as everything else. Coins sold at the same auction house 10x, would fetch drastically different bids each session. To raise your chances of receiving top dollar read How to Get the Most for your Coins.


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Mintage Numbers

How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth


Comments


How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth

Henry H.: Thanks for such detailed information very helpful Large Date and Small date photo. Approved: 2022-10-06 20:08:53



How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth

Admin: Thanks again Henry! It's easier to decipher when you look at the year next to the mint mark as a reference. Its a littler harder when there is no mint mark. Approved: 2022-11-06 15:33:02



How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth

Johna Thurstan: How do you tell if it's zinc or brass / bronze? 1982 was a confusing year. Approved: 2022-11-06 16:12:34



How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth

Admin: Sorry for late reply Johna just saw this. The best way to tell is to weigh them with a cheap digital scale you can get off amazon or even a place like harbor freight. They will weigh 2.5g if they are zinc and 3.11g if copper. Copper will feel heavier and have a little more heft. Most coins from 1982 are going to be copper as they were using left over copper penny planchets from years past. Copper also may also have a patina as it has been oxidizing for a few decades. Hope this helps! Approved: 2022-12-05 13:53:50




How much is a 1982 Penny worth?

This section is more of a layman's guide, for those new to collecting.

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around 1 cent, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $45 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1982, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].


If you are a fan of coin roll hunting or just want to learn more about lincoln pennys then search or scroll below to find the most valuable and rarest in this series.


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Most Valuable

The most valuable Lincoln Penny's. Prices listed are for MS-65 certified. Visit the link to learn more about each coin.

ImageYearMintWorth
How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth
1961D$75
How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth
1982$45
How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth
1959D$40
How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth
2006D$35
How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth
1961$32
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1975D$30
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2002D$30
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1962$29
How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth
1962D$29
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2002$27
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1968S$25
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2005D$25Sign In or Register to see all content.
How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth
1989P$345.22
How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth
1989$345,000
How much is a 1982 zinc penny worth
1989D$345ImageNameMintWorth

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Hardest to Find

The rarest and hardest to find Lincoln Penny's Check out each link to learn more about each coin.

What is the rarest Lincoln Penny?

NameProduced1998 S2,086,0002008 S2,169,0001996 S2,525,0002007 S2,577,0001997 S2,796,0001995 S2,797,0001975 S2,845,0001991 S2,867,0002004 S2,965,0001986 S3,010,0002006 S3,054,0001984 S3,065,0001978 S3,127,0002001 S3,187,0002002 S3,211,0001989 S3,220,0001977 S3,251,0001988 S3,262,0001994 S3,269,0001983 S3,279,000NameProduced


Overall Specs & Design

This coin has a total mass of 2.5 g, a diameter of 19.05 mm, and a thickness of 1.52 mm. It's edge is Smooth, and the coins are composed of 95% copper Pre 1982, 97% copper 3% zinc after 1982.


Designer: Victor D. Brenner (obv), Lyndall Bass (rev)


Front (Obverse): The obverse or front of this coin contains the bust of President Lincoln the 16th president of the United States. The words In God We Trust are engraved in an arching manner on the top most portion of this coin. The date is present along with the mint mark. If the mark is missing the coin was issued from the Philadelphia mint. With the exception of 2017 P, the only year to contain a P mint mark to honor the 225th anniversary of the United States Mint.


Back (Reverse): The reverse of this coin has been described as Lincoln Memorial design. Nice clean lines on the steps and buildings are important for a decent grade. The Lincoln Memorial replaced the reverse after the last Wheat Cent was issued in 1958.


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***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value. Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.

Why is a 1982 penny worth $10000?

So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years.

What is the most valuable 1982 penny?

There were Large and Small Date Copper P. Large and Small Date Zinc P. As well as Large D Coppers and Large and Small D Zinc Pennies. 1982 D Small Date Coppers are the most valuable 1982 Pennies issued.

How much is a 1982 zinc penny?

Copper Plated Zinc Penny Depicted above is the 97.5% zinc composite 1982 Large Date Lincoln Memorial Cent (Penny). USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1982 Lincoln Memorial Penny (Zinc - Large Date Variety) is Worth $0.56 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition.