For a long time the transitional error for both the 1983 and 1983-D cents were thought to exist, with none found. Numismatists theorized a small number of these copper cents made it to the public domain. 1983 was a transitional year during which the U.S. Mint stopped producing copper cents and moved to zinc cents, weighing 2.5 grams.
Then a few of these Mint errors were found and authenticated by reputable holdering companies.
Have you heard about the fabled 1943/1943-D/1943-S copper cents, which were supposed to have been struck on steel and now worth tens of thousands of dollars? Some 40 such cents were said to have been minted, with 13 found. YouTube, TikTok and eBay use the few such found coins as click-bait, fully aware that you will not find them.
These 1983 transitional error coins are thought to be even rarer than 1943/43-D/43-S errors. So you likely do not have one.
But to make sure, weigh it. If it weighs 3.1 (plus or minus 1 gram or so) you have hit the jackpot, worth thousands of dollars.
Because there were so few copper planchets left in the 1983 bin, the ones found are said to have the same die markers:
But the only valuable diagnostic is weight, 3.1 grams.
While it is good to know about these transitional errors, unfortunately they waste hobby time. You should be using that time to buy coin books or to visit educational sites like this, learning about collecting. The value of the hobby is the hobby, not the value.
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