1982 Penny Value
In 1982 the cent changed from copper alloy to copper-plated zinc, and both were struck that year.
Melt value
No melt value: base metal
This coin is copper-plated zinc: 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper. Doubloon doesn't give copper, nickel, zinc or steel a melt value; for this coin, the date, mint mark and condition decide the collector value.
Check yours in Doubloon
Photograph the front and back. Doubloon identifies the year and mint mark and shows the melt value. Doubloon Pro adds collector ranges with their sources and the key dates to check.
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Specifications
| Series | Lincoln Memorial Cent |
|---|---|
| Years | 1959 to 2008 |
| Mints | No mint mark (Philadelphia) D (Denver) S (San Francisco) |
| Mint mark location | Obverse, below the date. Philadelphia cents carry no mint mark. |
| Years | Metal content | Composition | Weight | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 to 1962 | None (base metal) | Bronze: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc | 3.11 g | 19.05 mm |
| 1962 to 1982 | None (base metal) | Brass: 95% copper, 5% zinc | 3.11 g | 19.05 mm |
| 1982 to 2008 | None (base metal) | Copper-plated zinc: 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper | 2.5 g | 19.05 mm |
Metal content = weight × precious-metal fraction ÷ 31.1034768 grams per troy ounce. Worn coins weigh slightly less than new ones.
Key dates and varieties to check
These are the known key dates, varieties and metal changes for the Lincoln Memorial Cent. Each entry says what to look at on the coin.
- Metal change1982 copper or zincWeigh it: copper (brass) 1982 cents weigh about 3.11 g and zinc ones about 2.50 g. Both large and small date styles exist in each metal.
- Variety1960 Small DateLook at the date: on the Small Date the top of the 1 is level with the top of the 9 and the 0 is small and round.
- Variety1969-S Doubled Die ObverseLook for an S below the date and strong doubling on the date, LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.
- Variety1970-S Small Date (High 7)Look for an S and a date whose 7 sits level with the other digits, with weak LIBERTY letters.
- Variety1972 Doubled Die ObverseLook at LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and the date for clear doubling; no mint mark.
- Variety1983 Doubled Die ReverseLook at ONE CENT and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the reverse for strong doubling.
- Variety1984 Doubled EarLook at Lincoln's ear: a second earlobe appears below it.
- Key date1990 No S ProofA mirror-finish proof cent dated 1990 with no mint mark below the date.
- Variety1992 Close AMLook at AM in AMERICA on the reverse: on Close AM the A and M nearly touch. The normal 1992 business strike has a wide gap.
- Variety1992-D Close AMLook for a D below the date and the A and M of AMERICA nearly touching on the reverse.
- Variety1995 Doubled Die ObverseLook at LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST for doubling; no mint mark.
- Variety1998 Wide AMLook at AM in AMERICA: a clear gap between the A and M on a business strike.
- Variety1999 Wide AMLook at AM in AMERICA: a clear gap between the A and M (the proof reverse) on a business strike.
- Variety2000 Wide AMLook at AM in AMERICA: a clear gap between the A and M on a business strike.
Doubloon can't confirm a variety from a photo. Compare your coin with this guidance. A grading service can authenticate it.
What sets the value
Melt value is the gold, silver, platinum or palladium in the coin multiplied by the current spot price. Copper, nickel, zinc and steel coins have no melt value in Doubloon.
Collector value depends on the date, the mint mark, any variety, and condition. Doubloon Pro shows a collector estimate range by condition, built from recent public sales and listings, with the sources and date for each range. When no recent sales are found, Doubloon says so and shows the melt value.
Condition runs from Circulated (Good to Fine) through Extremely Fine, About Uncirculated and Uncirculated, to Proof for coins struck for collectors. Don't clean a coin: cleaning can lower its collector value.
Related coins
Sources and dates
- United States Mint, coin specifications (weight, diameter, composition)
- Doubloon catalog source: usmint-history
- A Guide Book of United States Coins (Whitman): key dates, varieties and mintages
- Doubloon catalog source: pcgs-coinfacts
- Doubloon catalog source: ngc-coin-explorer
- Spot prices: unavailable when this page was loaded.
- Specifications and key dates: Doubloon's catalog, reviewed October 8, 2026.
Values on this page are estimates, not appraisals, offers or investment advice.