Partway through production of 1982 Lincoln cents, the U.S. Mint
changed the coins' composition from brass (95 percent copper and 5
percent zinc) to one that is predominantly zinc (a core of 99.2 percent
zinc and 0.8 percent copper with a copper barrel plating). Cents dated
1982 come in both metallic varieties - and to complicate matters even
more, there are large-date and small-date versions in both
compositions. Viewed side by side, the large and small dates are
relatively easy to tell apart, and there isn't much difference in
individual values (price), since both are quite common.
Distinguishing between the brass and zinc cents is almost impossible,
unless they are weighed. They are easier to distinguish by weight,
rather than by color: The brass cent is heavier, at 3.11 grams versus
2.5 grams for the zinc cent. Again, both kinds are common. In all,
there are seven (7) different varieties of 1982 cents. Just one
combination is missing: There is no small-date cent in brass (also
called bronze) from the Denver Mint.
In 1982 the US Mint made
7 different Lincoln Cents. Their different compositions included bronze
or copper (3), and zinc (4); some dates are large (4), and some dates
small (4). Prior to 1982, pennies were 95% Copper and 5% zinc. After
1982 the composition became 97.6% zinc and 2.4% copper.
