Numismatic

1982 Lincoln Cent BU (Zinc, Small Date)

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The year 1982 marked a major transition for the United States one cent piece. This particular variety is struck on a planchet composed of 99.2 percent zinc and a mere 0.8 percent copper, weighing in at 2.5 grams. Because these zinc planchets were coated in a thin copper layer, early issues from this era often exhibit distinct surface characteristics, including tiny raised dots or bubbling beneath the copper plating. On the obverse, the right facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln is paired with a noticeably smaller date than other varieties of the same year. The classic inscriptions read IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY, alongside the 1982 date. This side was originally created by Victor David Brenner. The reverse, designed by Frank Gasparro, showcases the detailed facade of the Lincoln Memorial. This reverse design was struck by the mint for nearly five decades, from 1959 to 2008. It features the traditional phrases UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the denomination ONE CENT. Preserved in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, this coin offers a wonderful look at a pivotal moment in American metallurgy.