Expert: PAPAJACK - 1/19/2007

Question
How do you tell the difference between a 1982 zinc and copper penny?

Answer
Hello David,   

There is no easy way to tell them apart except by weight. And it is not easy to see the difference between the Large and Small dates on the coins either.

Your best descriptions are in "The Red Book" titled - A GUIDE BOOK of UNITED STATES COINS - by R. S. Yeoman.

I weigh the coin, the Copper Cent weighs 3.11 grams and the Zinc Cents only weigh 2.50 grams each.

The same dies were used for the copper and zinc types at both Denver and Philadelphia. So there is no Large Date/ Small Date difference in style between the two metal types for strike.

As you experience separating these coins you will get better at it.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack