How to Find a 1982-D Bronze Large Date Lincoln Cent

The 1982-D bronze large date Lincoln cent, struck at Denver, combines the older 95%-copper alloy with the “Large Date” numeral style—the composition and date style Denver was using before it switched straight to zinc later in the year.

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What makes the 1982-D bronze large date cent important to collectors?

Rising copper prices led the Mint to replace the cent’s 95%-copper alloy (about 3.11 grams) with copper-plated zinc (about 2.5 grams) during 1982—a changeover documented by PCGS CoinFacts and the U.S. Mint’s own published coin specifications. The Mint also changed its date-punch design that year, from “Large Date” to “Small Date” numerals. Denver’s changeover worked differently than Philadelphia’s: Denver moved from bronze large date directly to zinc, striking zinc cents in both large date and small date styles, but never intentionally struck a bronze small date cent. (A tiny handful of 1982-D bronze small date cents do exist—but only as an accidental transitional error, not a regular-issue variety.)

The bronze large date from Denver represents the standard composition and date style in use there before the changeover. It is common; per PCGS CoinFacts, official Mint production reports for 1982 don’t break totals out by mint, date style, or composition individually, so no precise mintage figure exists for this specific combination.

How to identify a 1982-D bronze large date cent

Confirm the “D” mint mark

A small “D” appears beneath the date, identifying Denver.

Identify the Large Date

The “2” has a straight baseline and the “8” has roughly symmetrical top and bottom loops—compare against certified reference photos. This is a recognized date-punch variety attributed by both PCGS and NGC, not a product of wear or a soft strike, so weigh the full pattern of both digits rather than judging from a single feature.

Confirm the bronze composition

Weigh the coin on a scale accurate to 0.01 gram. Per PCGS CoinFacts and the U.S. Mint’s published specifications, the pre-1982 bronze alloy (95% copper, 5% zinc and tin) weighs approximately 3.11 grams, while the copper-plated zinc composition (97.5% zinc core with thin copper plating) weighs approximately 2.5 grams. Both share the same 19.05mm diameter and plain edge, so weight—not color—is the reliable test.

Buying considerations

Certified versus raw coins

Certification matters most for high-grade or Full Red examples. Verify certification numbers directly with the grading service.

Understanding grades and color designations

• BN — Brown, RB — Red-Brown, RD — Red describe remaining original color, separate from the numerical grade.

Problem coins

Watch for cleaning, recoloring, spotting, and corrosion—copper cents are sensitive to all of these.

Suggested search terms and filters

Try “1982-D bronze large date cent,” “1982-D copper large date penny,” or “1982-D 1C bronze large date.” Narrow by grade or color designation.

Availability and pricing notes

This is a common variety with steady dealer availability. Compare grade, color, and surface quality across listings.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

1. Search for “1982-D bronze large date cent.”
2. Compare listings by grade, color, and price.
3. Save it to your wishlist if nothing currently fits.
4. Get notified of new matching inventory.
5. Verify the mint mark, date style, and weight before buying.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1982-D bronze large date cent rare?

No. It’s a common Denver variety from before the composition changeover.

How is this different from the rare 1982-D Small Date bronze cent?

The rare coin is a bronze cent struck with the Small Date die at Denver—an accidental transitional error with only a couple of confirmed examples. This large date bronze cent is common.

How do I tell it from the zinc version?

Weigh it—bronze weighs about 3.11 grams, zinc about 2.5 grams.

What if no suitable coin is currently available?

Add “1982-D bronze large date cent” to your wishlist to get notified when matching inventory appears.

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