Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 12/22/2007

Question
I would like to know how to tell the diffrence between 1982 penny

Answer
Michael, there were 8 different types of 1982 cent, taking into account mint mark (none -- Philadelphia; and D -- Denver); large and small date and copper and zinc composition.  The mint marks are easy to tell apart as are the small and large date (go to http://www.coinpeople.com/1982-Cent-Fun-t7417.html

for  more information).  The zinc cents weigh less than the copper.  So all you need is a balance and a cent you know is zinc or copper (pre 1982 = copper, post 1982 = zinc).  If the known zinc is the same weight as your 1982, then you have a zinc 1982, if the 1982 weighs more, it is copper.  If you use a known copper cent, the 1982 zinc will weigh less.  If you have a good feel about weight, you can sometimes tell just by feeling a 1982 in one hand and a known copper or zinc in the other.  Hope this helped, Jim Lawniczak