How to Find a 1982 Bronze Large Date Lincoln Cent (No Mint Mark)

The 1982 bronze large date Lincoln cent, struck at Philadelphia with no mint mark, is one of seven regular-issue varieties created when the U.S. Mint changed the cent’s composition mid-year. It combines the older 95%-copper alloy with the “Large Date” numeral style used before the Mint also updated its date punch that same year.

GetCoinHunt helps you search inventory from multiple coin dealers in one place, compare available examples, and create a wishlist alert when the right coin is not currently listed.

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

Rising copper prices meant that by the early 1980s, a Lincoln cent’s copper content was worth more than one cent. To cut costs, the Mint switched the cent’s composition from 95% copper (weighing about 3.11 grams) to 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. Independently, the Mint also changed its date-punch design that year, creating “Large Date” and “Small Date” numeral styles.

Because the two changes happened on separate schedules and at separate mints, 1982 and 1982-D cents exist in seven standard combinations of mint, composition, and date style, plus an extremely rare bronze/small-date combination from Denver that was never supposed to exist. The bronze large date from Philadelphia—this coin—was the composition and date style in use at the start of the year, before either change took full effect.

Per PCGS CoinFacts, official Mint reports for 1982 cover total cent production for the year without breaking mintage figures out by date style or composition, so no precise mintage exists for this specific combination. It is not scarce; most Philadelphia cents struck in the first part of 1982 are this variety.

How to identify a 1982 bronze large date cent

Confirm no mint mark

Look just beneath the date. No letter present means the coin was struck at Philadelphia (Denver cents carry a “D”).

Identify the Large Date

Compare the “2” and “8” in the date against certified reference photos. On the Large Date, the “2” has a straight baseline, and the top and bottom loops of the “8” are close to the same size. On the Small Date, the “2” curves up at the bottom into what collectors call a “swan’s neck,” and the “8” has a noticeably smaller top loop, giving it a “snowman” look. This is a recognized date-punch variety attributed by both PCGS and NGC, not a product of wear or a weak strike, so weigh the full shape of both digits rather than judging from a single feature.

Confirm the bronze composition

Weigh the coin on a digital 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. Color alone is not reliable—both compositions look coppery, and cleaning, toning, or wear can make them look deceptively similar.

Buying considerations

Certified versus raw coins

This variety is common enough that certification is optional for most buyers, though it becomes useful for coins offered in high grade or with strong original red color, where a premium is being asked. Verify any certification number on the grading service’s own website.

Understanding grades and color designations

Circulated examples are inexpensive and plentiful. For uncirculated coins, look at luster, contact marks, and color:

• BN — Brown: Most original red color has toned to brown.
• RB — Red-Brown: A mix of red and brown remains.
• RD — Red: Most original mint-red color remains.

Full Red examples in high mint-state grades bring the strongest premiums.

Problem coins

Watch for cleaning, recoloring, spotting, corrosion, and environmental damage—copper cents are especially sensitive to all of these. A details-graded example can be a lower-cost way to own the variety, but confirm the stated problem before buying.

Suggested search terms and filters

Begin with: “1982 bronze large date cent,” “1982 copper large date penny,” “1982 large date 3.11 gram cent,” or “1982 1C bronze large date.”

Narrow by grade (MS63–MS67), by color designation (BN, RB, RD), or by certification (PCGS, NGC).

Availability and pricing notes

This is one of the more common 1982 cent varieties, and dealer inventory turns over regularly. Listings and asking prices reflect what sellers are asking, not necessarily completed-sale values—compare several examples by grade, color, and surface quality before buying.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

1. Search for the coin. Enter “1982 bronze large date cent” to search participating dealer inventory.
2. Review the available matches. Compare listings by grade, color designation, certification, and price.
3. Add the search to your wishlist if nothing currently fits your grade or budget.
4. Get notified about new matches as new dealer inventory is added.
5. Verify before buying—confirm the weight and date style match what the listing claims, especially for higher-grade or Full Red examples.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 1982 bronze large date cent rare?

No. It’s one of the more common 1982 cent varieties—it was in production before either the composition change or the date-punch change ran their course.

How do I tell it apart from the small date version?

Compare the “2” and “8” in the date. The large date has a straight-bottomed “2” and a symmetrical “8”; the small date has a curved “swan’s neck” 2 and a smaller top loop on the “8,” giving it a “snowman” look.

How do I tell it apart from the zinc version?

Weigh it. A bronze cent weighs about 3.11 grams; a zinc cent weighs about 2.5 grams. Use a scale accurate to 0.01 gram—color and shine are not reliable indicators.

Is this the rare 1982 penny worth thousands?

No. The valuable 1982 rarity is the 1982-D Small Date struck on a bronze planchet at Denver—a transitional error with only a couple of confirmed examples. The Philadelphia bronze large date is common.

What if no suitable coin is currently available?

Add “1982 bronze large date cent” to your wishlist. You’ll be notified when newly detected dealer inventory matches your search.

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