The 1982 Penny - Unfolding the Mystery!

[Silversound]

Since I've began collecting pennies I've been enamored with the 1982. First it began with identifying the difference between copper and zinc. Then I found out that there were different varieties within those two varieties. All said and done, I have discovered that there are 8 - yes, 8 different types of 1982 pennies. It would only make sense that there would be one or two of those that are extremely rare, but I have yet to find out any accurate or official reports as to the mintage numbers of each unique type. The only numbers that I have come across are the standard numbers based on mint marks - not on specific types. I've included those numbers for reference. On my quest to decipher the code I have begun to sort and classify the 8 different types of 1982 pennies so as to discover a relative grading of scarcity. Below are my current numbers after sorting 6 full boxes.

Copper
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Large Date
50 (11.1%)

Copper
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Small Date
2 (0.4%)

Copper
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Large Date
158 (35.1%)

Copper
Proof "S" Mint Mark (San Francisco)
0 (0.0%)

Zinc
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Large Date
212 (47.1%)

Zinc
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Small Date
1 (0.2%)

Zinc
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Large Date
12 (2.7%)

Zinc
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Small Date
15 (3.3%)

Margin of error= .1%

Here are the numbers provided by the mint:
1982 P: 10,712,525,000
1982 D: 6,012,979,368
1982 S: 3,857,479

So of the 16,729,361,847 1982 pennies in existence,
1982 P: 64%
1982 D: 35.9%
1982 S: Less than 0.1%

Of my #'s so far
P: 265
D:185
S: 0

For a total of: 450
Therefore my percentages are:
P: 59%
D: 41%

Considering I live in SoCal, the error to Denver's favor is understandable.

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[Mackaydon]

Silversound:
The 82 Ss were only proofs; not for circulation.

[dp2013]

Nice break down. From the early results it looks like the small dates both copper and zinc are the most scarce. Any AU's found in circulation might be worth keeping.

[FingerGrime]

Interesting!

[stevesnapper]

I decided to spend the break going through penny rolls. Went through 566 rolls = 28,300 pennies.

Copper
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Large Date
146 (20.7%)

Copper
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Small Date
5 (0.7%)

Copper
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Large Date
452 (64.0%)

Copper
Proof "S" Mint Mark (San Francisco)
1 (0.1%) --- yes I found one of these rolled up!

Zinc
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Large Date
71 (10.1%)

Zinc
No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
Small Date
2 (0.3%)

Zinc
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Large Date
11 (1.6%)

Zinc
"D" Mint Mark (Denver)
Small Date
18 (2.6%)


P: 224
D:481
S: 1

For a total of: 706

I live in Texas. The majority of pennies are from Denver, even dating this far back.

[Diver_Down]

Yet despite being enamored, you still insist on calling the cent a penny. Spoken like a true numismatist.

[7seasalior]

Here is another sample of statistics from a sort of 1982 US cents. Saved 50 lbs from shopping change from 1995 to 2012. Break down all years was 10 lbs. copper (pre'83) and 40 lbs. plated (post'82).
Out of 8800 cents there were 190 of 1982 date (~2%). For the 7 varieties here are the results. Even though this change was received in Calif ~60% of the 1982 cents were P mint.
1982 comprised:
Cu P lg date = 30 (16%)
Cu P sm date = 0
Cu D lg date = 60 (32%)
Zn P lg date = 80 (42%)
Zn P sm date = 4 (2%)
Zn D lg date = 6 (3%)
Zn D sm date = 10 (5%)