Here’s a challenge for all of you looking for the third example of the 1982-D Small Date 3.1 Gram Rarity. Go to eBay and search “1982-D Small Date 3.1 Grams.” Before you go, make sure you know the markers:
You also can refresh your memory by reading an entire article on those markers. Click here for that.
Also, here is background on mintages:
| Variety Name | Composition | Weight | Date Hub | Estimated Mintage / Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982-D Large Date Copper | 95% Copper / 5% Zinc | 3.11 grams | Large Date | Common (Estimated in the hundreds of millions) |
| 1982-D Large Date Zinc | Copper-plated Zinc Core | 2.50 grams | Large Date | Common (Estimated in the billions) |
| 1982-D Small Date Zinc | Copper-plated Zinc Core | 2.50 grams | Small Date | Common (Estimated in the billions) |
| 1982-D Small Date Copper (Transitional Error) | 95% Copper / 5% Zinc | 3.11 grams | Small Date | Extremely Rare (Only 2 known examples exist) |
Here are the first 20 of my search. Got tired, but could have found dozens if not hundreds more if I had all day.
IT’S 3.1 GRAMS: Take my Word for It!
1982 SMALL DATE, NO D, One of Billions!
I’M SO LUCKY I FOUND FIVE!
IF I BLUR THE PHOTO, MAYBE THEY WON’T KNOW IT’S ZINC!
IT’S THE UNHOLY GRAIL LARGE DATE!
LARGE DATE: NOT RARE!
LARGE DATE, SCRATCHED: NO COLLECTOR VALUE!
LARGE DATE, ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE!
LARGE DATE, CLEANED!
LARGE DATE: I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT MAY BE VALUABLE!
NO ERROR, NOT RARE!
LARGE DATE BUT COIN APP SAYS RARE!
LARGE DATE WITH A MINTMARK, DUMMY!
IF I SAY SMALL DATE, WHO WOULD KNOW?
LARGE DATE, COMMON, BUT I WANT THOUSANDS!
LARGE DATE, ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE!
LARGE DATE, GRADED SO I WANT MONEY!
ANOTHER LARGE DATE, GRADED, SO I ALSO WANT MONEY!
I’VE STRUCK IT RICH … SO I’LL SCAM YOU BECAUSE YOU CAN’T TELL LARGE DATE FROM SMALL!
IF I SAY SMALL DATE, IT’S SMALL DATE … SO PAY ME!
You can continue searching for the third example of the 1982-D Small Date 3.1 Grams. There is a desperation about it because collectors in the past decade theorized you can find this in pocket change. Then social media hyped the rarity!
If you think you have found the unicorn, and are sure that you know the markers, odds are you’re wrong. If you send it in for grading at PCGS or NGC, and you found the third example–one found in 2016 and another in 2019–be prepared for the national media to come knocking on your door.
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