The More I read about 1982 pennies the more confused I get 1 1

[Halbrook Family]

The more I read about 1982 pennies the more confused I get. I read million posts here on the subject. 

This is a good site on it. http://lincolncentresource.com/smalldates/1982.html

But I can't really see any difference. I'm trying to fill in my book of pennies and I could use some help. 

The large D Copper coin is impossible so forget it  I don't go through my coins and look for errors much at all. The D over S from the 1940's and 1950's look interesting but I haven't looked for those either. 

These first copper pennies must be all small date D in the pictures

[Halbrook Family]

Are any of these large date copper? 

[Halbrook Family]

Maybe the lower middle one? 

[l.cutler]

Actually all are large date except the lower middle one. That is the only small date.

[Greenstang]

Agree, of the 17 1982 cents you posted, the only small date is the one in the middle of the 4th group.

[ldhair]

[NeverEnoughCoins09]

On 8/19/2023 at 2:56 PM, ldhair said:

thanks this will help me as well

[Halbrook Family]

I don't have alot of zinc 1982 d Are these all small date? 

[Halbrook Family]

The top left would be big date and the other two small?

[Greenstang]

Correct except it is called a Large Date, not a big date.

[Halbrook Family]

1982  zinc. all small?

[Halbrook Family]

I think I would guess the bottom would be large date. Not big date.

[Greenstang]

They are all Large Date. You got it correct on your previous post now your back to being wrong again.

[l.cutler]

Pay close attention to the shape of the 2 and the distance of the 2 from the rim, then it's easy.  On a small date there is room enough between the 2 and the rim for another 2.

[Sandon]

   I've never had much difficulty distinguishing the so-called "large date" and "small date" 1982 varieties. They were made from different master dies, so the lettering and characteristics of Lincoln's profile are different, as well as the date. The following graphic provided by @EagleRJO shows a number of the differences:

[Halbrook Family]

Is this small? 

[Sandon]

On 8/19/2023 at 6:20 PM, edhalbrook said:

Is this small? 

 

   Yes.

[Halbrook Family]

Thanks for your help. I looked at the graphic a million times and I just could not figure that out anymore. 

[EagleRJO]

Focus on the "2" initially.  That's usually all I need to tell the difference.

[JKK]

On 8/19/2023 at 5:11 PM, edhalbrook said:

Thanks for your help. I looked at the graphic a million times and I just could not figure that out anymore. 

The way to use graphics of varieties, in my experience, is relatively. By that I mean subtle variations in angle, direction, and distance. Let's imagine you're looking at the images ldhair posted, very helpful. What stands out the most by itself? Not the thickness; that only stands out comparatively, as in the images side by side. But look at the shaft of the 2 and compare. On the large date, it is straight. On the small date, it is more curved. So if you're just looking at pennies with a magnifying glass, you'd aim at that. If it hasn't got that curve, you can stop looking at that coin; you have your answer. In all variety hunting situations, and some others (notably authentication of frequently faked stuff), I look for a diagnostic that simply must be present.

Sometimes the variance is "the letters on this one aim directly at such and such" or "the point of the wing aims directly at the W," etc. Once you get your diagnostic right, you won't be confused any more. And yes, it's okay to do it with magnification. You don't grade with mag, but you do assess other factors.

[Conder101]

Another clue that I use is the INSIDE of the loops of the 8.  On the large date the inside of the upper loop is just about the same size as the inside of the lower loop.  On the small date the INSIDE of the upper loop is about HALF the size of the inside of the lower loop.