1982-D Small date bronze graded AU55 by PCGS

EagleEye · February 8, 2017 9:11PM

This is the first 1982-D small date bronze that has been discovered and graded by PCGS. It was recently revealed in Errorscope, the journal of CONECA. The discoverer also wrote an article about how he found it and how he almost didn't find it.

Since this is a transitional coin struck in the same year as the other variants in metal and design, is it a regular issue or a striking error? It is similar to the 1864 with L copper nickel that was an actual circulation strike, not a pattern. However PCGS declined to assign a separate entry for that coin. I think they should. What do you think.

MsMorrisine · February 8, 2017 9:30PM

What were the mint's striking intentions?

I'm worried that the folder people are having these made so everyone needs a new folder.

Zoins · February 8, 2017 9:42PM

Here's an article on the 1982-D small date copper cent from Dec 23, 2016 by Ken Potter.

It could probably be a regular issue or a striking error. In a situation like this, would the Mint staff have cared to match the planchet stock to the die transition, or would they have wanted to use up their copper-alloy stock?

EagleEye · February 8, 2017 9:51PM

Thanks for posting the link Zoins.

The 1864 with L copper nickel is known by a few rare proofs which are categorized as patterns. There are also a few examples of circulation strikes that are obviously not patterns. Unfortunately most of them are corroded or not gradeable. About 5 years ago Brian Raines found one that was gradeable as it was already graded by NGC as a normal 1864 copper nickel. He broke it out and sent it to PCGS and they didn't want to assign a new coin number to it. He is still hopeful they will change their mind. Maybe now they will.

CaptHenway · February 8, 2017 11:36PM

Currently in an NGC AU58BN holder.

howards · February 9, 2017 1:43AM

If this were an intentionally struck variant, I would expect we would have seen a lot more of them by now. So my vote would be that a leftover copper planchet made it into the press along with all of the zinc planchets. So, not a pattern. Either a wrong planchet or a transitional planchet error, however one prefers to look at it.

If a roll of these shows up, I'll change my mind.

ricko · February 9, 2017 9:17AM

OK...on my list of items to search for on a snowy day......Hey.. it is snowing like crazy... Six inches and still coming down....Cheers, RickO

DCW · February 9, 2017 9:59AM

I set aside every coppery looking 1983 cent I find to weigh. Always comes in normal. Now Ill have to weigh these darn things, too.
A payday awaits thise who persevere...

mannie gray · February 10, 2017 4:25PM

I agree, I have a baggie full of "possible" 1983 3.1 grammers.
Just awaiting the desire to weigh them all........

joeykoins · February 10, 2017 4:44PM

Here is my '82D, waiting to be weighed.

Wolf359 · February 10, 2017 5:25PM

Will the weight prove the metal is bronze you think? If so, best of luck!

Zoins · February 10, 2017 6:03PM

@howards said:
If this were an intentionally struck variant, I would expect we would have seen a lot more of them by now. So my vote would be that a leftover copper planchet made it into the press along with all of the zinc planchets. So, not a pattern. Either a wrong planchet or a transitional planchet error, however one prefers to look at it.

If a roll of these shows up, I'll change my mind.

Isn't it possible that using the leftover copper planchet could have been intentional to get rid of old stock? In which case we would have an intentional low mintage variety?

joeykoins · February 10, 2017 6:43PM

Are you saying the Mint would do something intentional? No-o-o!

CaptHenway · February 10, 2017 7:46PM

@Wolf359 said:
Will the weight prove the metal is bronze you think? If so, best of luck!

The 95% copper planchets weighed 3.1 grams, and the copper-plated zing planchets weigh 2.5 grams, so yes the weight is definitive.

1982-D Small date bronze graded AU55 by PCGS

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