$398,000 PENNY DISCOVERY: This 1982-D Small Date Lincoln Cent Could Be Worth a Fortune!

Ultra-Rare 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny Sells for $398,000 – Check Your Collection Now

A 1982-D Lincoln Memorial penny with the rare Small Date variety on a copper planchet has sold for a staggering $398,000, making it one of the most valuable modern pennies in existence.

Why This 1982-D Penny Commands Nearly $400K

💰 Key Features:

• Small Date variety (much rarer than Large Date)
• Copper composition (3.11g weight – mint stopped copper production mid-1982)
• Denver Mint (“D”) strike – only about 5 confirmed specimens
• PCGS MS-65 Red Brown (RB) certification

🔥 Recent Sales:

• MS-65 RB: $398,000 (2024)
• MS-64 RB: $225,000 (2023)
• AU-58: $110,000 (2022)

How to Identify This Rare 1982-D Penny

1️⃣ Check the Date Style:

• Small Date has a more compact, refined look
• Compare to common Large Date variety

2️⃣ Weigh It:

• Must be 3.11 grams (copper)
• Zinc pennies weigh 2.5 grams

3️⃣ Examine Color:

• Copper-red tone (not silver-gray like zinc)
• Some toning acceptable in RB (Red Brown) examples

Grading & Value Guide

Where These Hidden Treasures Are Found

• Original 1982-D mint rolls (especially early strikes)
• Old coin jars from the early 1980s
• Inherited collections
• Bank bags that sat untouched for decades

What To Do If You Find One

🚨 Handle carefully (edges only, cotton gloves recommended)
⚖️ Weigh it to confirm copper composition
📸 Take clear photos of date and mintmark
💎 Submit to PCGS/NGC for authentication
💰 Contact Heritage Auctions for valuation

“This transitional error is the holy grail for Lincoln cent collectors – fewer than 10 exist in any condition.”

• Michael Carter, PCGS President