1982 penny 3.1g with any6

[Jason Chambers]

Is this good 1982 it's 3.1g a price? Wife got me into this so

 

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[l.cutler]

That would make it a 1982 small date copper cent, worth one cent.

 

[franklin]

The 1982 Lincoln Penny had many varieties. There was a small date and a large date. It was the last year they made the bronze penny. So some were made of alloys that made them lighter than the bronze penny. Most likely you have a bronze 1982 large date penny. That does not look like a small date to me.

 

[l.cutler]

Definitely a small date, the shape of the 2 the shape of the 8 and the distance of the date from the rim are the easiest ways to tell.

 

[A2coins]

Good to ask and learn there are many awesome coin books for collecters

 

[EQ8]

1982 was the year they started the copper plated zinc. Some were copper, (3.1 g) some were xinc (2.5g).
I keep a pocket scale on the counter and weigh them. Copper in a jar, zinc in the piggy bank.
Interestingly, the US Mint made it against the law to melt down copper pennies.
The copper is worth more than 1 cent. Don't know how they will know where melted copper came from, but I suppose there are people who would fess up if asked LOL.

 

[Coinstar magnet]

EQ8, copper in the jar, zinc in the piggy bank...
Saving the copper because more value? I was told by an aquaintance that there is a rare 1982 penny that is worth a fortune...thanks for your input in advance.

 

[EQ8]

EQ8, copper in the jar, zinc in the piggy bank...
Saving the copper because more value? I was told by an aquaintance that there is a rare 1982 penny that is worth a fortune...thanks for your input in advance.

Yes, the 1982 copper is worth more than the 1982 zinc.

Interestingly, the government made it against the law to melt down copper pennies. (Good luck enforcing that one).
Not sure what the difference in value is now as it varies, but the mint stopped using copper because it cost more than a penny to make a penny.
As far as the "valuable" 1982, here's a link to go exploring that.
Many different varieties.

*I conducted my own test here. A pound of copper pennies is about $1.48
A pound of copper today is about $2.25
So, the pennies aren't worth more than the copper (yet) BUT..with that price difference it's easy to see that the government would be losing money using copper blanks when they have to add all the other costs of making the pennies.
https://treasurepursuits.com/1982-penny-error/

 

[Coinstar magnet]

Thank you for the info
I will never look at a 1982 penny the same again.