1982 Lincoln Cent

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. Distinguishing between the brass and zinc cents is easiest by weight, rather than color: The brass cent is heavier, at 3.11 grams versus 2.5 grams for the zinc cent. In all, there are seven different varieties of 1982 cents. Just one combination is missing: There is no small-date cent in brass from the Denver Mint.

The obverse of the coin features a bust en-profile of the 16th President of the United States. The president is facing to the right from the viewers point of view. Above the portrait is the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" Appearing to the left of Lincoln is the word "LIBERTY" and to the right are the year and mint mark.

The reverse features a rendering of the Lincoln Memorial. The depiction is done in sufficient detail to detect the Lincoln Monument within the structure. At the time, this marked the only time a person was featured on both the obverse and reverse of the same United States coin. The inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appears above the Memorial with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" directly beneath. The denomination "ONE CENT" appears in larger letters than the others, and is placed under the Memorial.

Mintage:

Philadelphia	Denver	S Proof
10,712,525,000	6,012,979,368	3,857,479