If the same presenter is depicted on the coin from generation to generation, then why does the composition remain the same? Trying to find out the 1983 penny value, have you thought about the fact that previously the metal of the token was worth more than the face value itself.
Until 1982, the penny was 95% copper and weighed 3.11 grams, and this metal alloy was used for many years.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the price of copper increased and it turned out that the metal from which the coin was made was worth more than the face value of the token itself.
The government decided that making a copper cent was too expensive.
To save money, in 1982 the U.S. Mint decided to change the material from which the penny is made. The new token has become zinc with a copper coating: the cores consist mainly of zinc (97.5%) and have a very thin copper coating (2.5%) and weigh only 2.5 grams.
1983 Coins: Common and Rare Types
All pennies made in 1983 should have been made only from the new, light zinc metal.
Standard 1983 Coins Zinc 2.5 g
Description: A Lincoln penny made at the Philadelphia Mint or the Denver Mint, designed by Victor D. Brenner.
Metal and Weight: 97.5% zinc with copper on the outside.
It weighs 2.5 grams.
Value: Coins that were never used and are in perfect MS-65 and better with a full red color (RD - Red) can be sold for $1 to $5.
Fun Fact: Because of the zinc inside, these coins easily get damaged by air and water.
The Rare 1983 Double Die Reverse (DDR)
Mistake Type: The Memorial side was not stamped correctly when the die was made.
Look: Double image or a 'shadow' on the letters of the words "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" — 'E' in ONE and the letters 'A' in AMERICA.
Value: Used coins that are not damaged can cost $50 to $200.
In perfect condition (MS-65 RD) can easily cost $1,000 to $2,500.
The Legend: 1983 Copper Error Penny 3.11 g
Mistake Type: This coin was wrongly made on an old, heavy 95% copper. These heavy metal pieces should not have been used after the end of 1982.
Mistake Reason: It is thought that an old copper piece was accidentally left in the machine and was mixed with the new zinc pieces.
The machine then stamped the 1983 date onto the heavy copper piece.
Identification: The coin looks exactly like a common 1983 penny, but its weight must always be 3.11 grams — use scales with 0.01 gram accuracy to find this coin.
If a 1983 coin weighs more than 3.0 grams, it could be this error.
Value: The price can be from $15,000 to $30,000 or more.
Here Some More: The 1982 Change Year Coins
The Mint made coins with two different metals (heavy copper and light zinc) and used two different date sizes.
This combination means there are eight main types of coins from 1982.
Coin | Mint Mark | Metal | Date Size | Weight | Price (MS-65 RD) |
1. | P/D | Copper (95%) | Large Date | 3.11 | $1 – $10 |
2. | P/D | Copper (95%) | Small Date | 3.11 | $5 – $30 |
3. | P/D | Zinc (97.5%) | Large Date | 2.50 | $1 – $5 |
4. | P/D | Zinc (97.5%) | Small Date | 2.50 | $5 – $50 |
How to Tell Small Date from Large Date
The difference between the Large Date and Small Date is seen in the numbers '2' and '8' in the year 1982.
Large Date (LD): The number '2' looks thick and almost touches the rim of the coin. The number '1' is far away from the '9'.
Small Date (SD): The number '2' looks thin and is clearly far from the coin's rim. The number '1' is close to the '9'.
Looking Closely at the 1982 Types
95% Copper, 3.11 g
These heavy coins were made early in 1982.
The Large Date type is very common.
Types 1 and 2 are generally not worth much, except if they are in the very best condition and can cost $500 to $1,000.
Zinc Coins 2.5 g
These light coins were made later in 1982 and became the new standard.
Type 4, the 1982 Small Date Zinc, is the Key Coin of the normal 1982 set.
A good one can be worth $50 to $200.
The Biggest Error of 1982: 1982-D Small Date Copper
This is a coin that is not known to exist officially, but collectors still look for it. People think the Denver Mint ("D" mark) did not make any Small Date copper coins.
If a collector finds a heavy coin with the 'D' mark and the Small Date, it would be absolutely fake.
There may be talks of hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the truth is that there is no such coin. Know this before you want to invest in something that doesn't exist.
1984 Coins: The End of the Change
By 1984, all cents were made from the light zinc metal as the metal process was fixed.
The Rare 1984 Double Die Obverse (DDO)
Look: You can see a very clear double image on the date 1984 and the word "LIBERTY." The doubling is so clear that some people call it the "double ear" because the doubling looks like a second ear lobe on Lincoln's head.
Value: Used coins can cost $50 to $200.
Perfect coins (MS-65 RD) often sell for $5,000 to $10,000.
Other Valuable Coins and Mistakes
Besides the very rare metal and Double Die mistake coins, there are other types of pennies from 1982, 1983, and 1984 that collectors want.
Proof Coins ("S" Mark)
Every year, the Mint in San Francisco ("S" mark) made Proofs for collectors.
The value of Proof coins is very high when they are perfect, sometimes reaching $50 to $500 depending on the year and quality.
Best-Condition Copper Coins
Even the normal copper coins from 1982 3.11 g can be valuable if they are in the best possible condition, like MS-67 or MS-68 level.
Because copper changes color easily over time, finding a 1982 copper penny that is still bright red and perfect (MS-68 RD) can be more than hard.
If they have the perfect "Red" color, these can sell for $100 to $1,000.
Die Breaks, Die Chips, Struck Through
Collectors look for smaller mistakes in 1982–1984 coins.
Die Breaks and Die Chips: Sometimes, the stamp ( that makes the coin breaks or cracks creating small lines or bumps on the coin, like a small piece of metal is sticking out.
Struck Through: Sometimes, a small piece of cloth, metal, or wire falls onto the coin before it is stamped — the machine then stamps over this item, leaving a mark or an empty space on the coin.
While these are not as valuable as the Double Die types, they can still add $10 to $50 to the price.
How to Check and Grade Coins
To understand the value of these coins, especially the rare mistake types, you must understand how coins are graded.
Weight Test
For 1982 and 1983 coins, the weight test is the most important check.
You must use accurate scales (down to 0.01 gram) to check all 1983 coins
Copper Weight: 3.11 grams (Range: 3.00 – 3.20)
Zinc Weight: 2.50 grams (Range: 2.40 – 2.60)
If a 1983 coin weighs over 3.0 grams, you must check it again
Sound Test
Copper and zinc coins sound different when you drop them onto a hard, non-scratch surface.
Copper (Heavy 3.11 g): Makes a low, long, nice sound or a clear "ring"
Zinc (Light 2.5 g): Makes a high, short, dull sound, like a "clink"
Condition Check
MS (Mint State): This means the coin was never used in daily life
Color Grading: For Lincoln cents, the color is very important:
RD (Red): The coin kept most of its first bright red copper color
RB (Red/Brown): The color is mixed, showing both red and brown
BN (Brown): The coin is dark brown, meaning the copper has reacted with the air and gets oxidized
Professional Grading: For high-value coins like the 1983 Copper Error or the 1984 DDO, collectors only trust coins that have been checked and sealed by PCGS or NGC. They confirm that the coin is real and give it a final grade number (MS-65 RD).
This certification makes the coin much easier to sell for a high price.
Collecting Strategy: How to Find the Rare Coins
Finding the valuable pennies from 1982–1984 requires careful looking.
Equipment Needed
Accurate Scale: A digital scale that measures to 0.01 gram is needed for checking the 1982 copper and the rare 1983 Copper Error.
Magnifying Glass: A magnifying glass 10x power is needed to clearly see the small double lines on the 1983 DDR and the 1984 DDO.
Good Light: Strong, focused light helps you see the fine details and the color of the coin.
Searching Bank Rolls
The best way to find these coins is to ask your bank for large rolls of pennies.
Because millions of these coins are still used every day, there is a small chance to find a rare one mixed in a bank roll.
Focusing Your Search
1983: Check the weight of every coin. Then check the back for the DDR
1982: Check the weight first, then check the date size
1984: Check the front for the clear doubling on the date and Lincoln's ear
Conclusion
In simple terms, you need to explore all possible outcomes of events at an auction or fair. In other words, you should know in advance what mistakes there are, which ones are valuable and which ones are not, which years and mint marks are more expensive to sell.
If you take a high-quality approach to the preparation, you will be able to bring down the price to a comfortable one if anything, and most importantly, to JUSTIFY IT.