Lincoln Memorial Cent
Country of Origin: United States of America
Year of Issue: 1982 (Large Date)
Denomination: One Cent ($0.01)
Composition: Likely Copper-Plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper) or 95% Copper. 1982 was the transition year; this specimen shows signs of zinc rot (bubbling/corrosion).
Brief Description
A copper-colored United States Lincoln cent with visible corrosion and wear, featuring Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.
Historical Significance
1982 is a significant transitional year for the US cent, as the composition changed from 95% copper alloy to copper-plated zinc to reduce production costs. This year produced seven major regular-issue varieties.
Estimated Value
$0.01 to $0.05 in current condition due to heavy corrosion and commonality.
Care Instructions
Store in a dry, PVC-free holder. Avoid cleaning, especially since this zinc-core coin is already showing signs of oxidation ('zinc rot'), which can accelerate if exposed to moisture.
Mint Mark
None (Philadelphia Mint)
Mintage & Rarity
Extremely Common; billions were minted in 1982. This is not a rare coin.
Weight & Diameter
2.5 grams (if zinc) or 3.11 grams (if copper); 19.05 mm diameter
Edge
Plain
Apparent Grade
About Good (AG-3) to Good (G-4) Details; heavily corroded and damaged with significant surface spotting.
Obverse (Front)
Portrait of Abraham Lincoln facing right, originally designed by Victor David Brenner. Legends: 'IN GOD WE TRUST', 'LIBERTY', and the date '1982'.
Reverse (Back)
The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., designed by Frank Gasparro. Legends: 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'E PLURIBUS UNUM', and 'ONE CENT'.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Condition, composition (copper vs. zinc), and date size (Large Date vs. Small Date). The 1982-D Small Date Copper is the only major rarity of this year.
Similar Coins
1982-D Small Date cent. Distinguished by the shape of the '2' and the weight of the coin.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Authentic, but damaged. Common for zinc-core cents to bubble and pit like this as the copper plating fails.
Notable Varieties & Errors
Seven standard varieties: 1982 Large/Small Date (Copper), 1982 Large/Small Date (Zinc), 1982-D Large Date (Copper/Zinc), and 1982-D Small Date (Zinc only as standard issue). The 1982-D Small Date Copper is a rare error-type discovery coin found in 2016. This coin appears to be a Large Date Philadelphia issue. This coin appears to be a Large Date Philadelphia issue based on the '8' and '2' alignment with the rim.
Created At: 2026-06-16T17:46:41.708891