IF you stumble upon a 1982 penny, you might be holding a ticket to a significant windfall.
A coin expert has revealed how a small detail could potentially be worth enough to buy a car or even put a down payment on a house.
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Couch Collectibles (@realjustincouch) explains in a TikTok that in 1982, the US Mint produced two varieties of pennies: small dates and large dates.
Understanding the differences between them is crucial for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The most straightforward way to distinguish between a small date and a large date penny is by examining the numeral "2" in the year.
In the small date version, you’ll notice a slight curve atop the "2."
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In contrast, the large date has a more angular appearance, with the numeral going straight down and making a sharp right angle at the bottom.
If you find a 1982 penny with this distinctive small date, check for a "D" mint mark located just below the date.
This indicates that the coin was minted in Denver, which is a key factor in determining its potential value.
BY THE WEIGH
Once you've identified a small date penny with a "D" mint mark, the next step is to weigh the coin.
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Standard 1982 pennies are expected to weigh approximately 2.5 grams.
However, if you come across one weighing around 3.1 grams, you might have struck gold.
Exact detail to spot as coin expert shows rare feature on Lincoln penny that makes it worth over $29,000
This weight discrepancy is due to a rare occurrence where a penny was mistakenly struck on a mostly copper planchet instead of the usual zinc-coated copper.
According to Couch, a penny of this kind was sold at auction "for over $10,000," showcasing the incredible value that can come from this seemingly ordinary coin.
BILLS THAT PAY BILLS
In the world of coin and currency collecting, it pays to keep an eye on your cash.
Another TikToker and coin expert Eric Miller (@thecoinchannel) recently shed light on a valuable error to watch for on $20 bills — an error that could make them worth an astonishing $55,200.
Rare coins
You may be holding something valuable in your wallet. Check out these articles on rare coins to see if you may have a treasure hidden deep in your pockets.
- Rare Lincoln penny sells for $201
- This buffalo nickel sold for $1,165
- 1971 Eisenhower silver coin sells for $264,000
- Lincoln double die obverse penny sells for $2,000
- Half cent sells for $3,383
- Rare nickel sells for $1,956 on eBay
- 1889 CC Morgan Silver dollar coin sells for $1,850
- Lincoln 1992 penny can be worth up to $25,000
- Standing Liberty quarter sells for $565
- Lincoln coin minted in 2020 sells for $525
In a recent video, a follower shared a clip of a $20 bill found in a tip jar at work, claiming it was an "old" bill.
While the bill was only from 1993, it still held the potential for significant value due to a rare printing error known as the “double denomination” error.
This mistake occurs when the front of the bill looks like a standard $20, but the back is printed as a $10. Such errors are exceedingly uncommon, particularly in older bills.
Miller explained that these “huge mistakes” are becoming harder to find as the years go by.
The value of a double denomination bill can vary widely based on its condition.
A well-preserved bill can fetch prices upwards of $55,200, while another with a similar error but in worse condition recently sold for $32,900.
Having the bill graded by professional collectors can further increase its worth, making it essential for collectors to seek expert evaluation.
In addition to double denomination errors, Miller highlighted another aspect of currency collecting that can lead to significant value: special serial numbers.
He showcased a particularly rare $20 bill with the serial number 01234567, referred to as an "ascending ladder" note.
Ascending ladder notes feature serial numbers that increase sequentially.
Bills can also have descending ladder numbers, which start from the highest number and decrease.
These unique serial numbers can appear on any denomination of currency and are highly sought after by collectors.
Miller noted that a professionally graded ascending ladder $20 bill recently sold on eBay for an impressive $7,500.
In contrast, a non-graded $10 bill with a similar ascending pattern fetched only $2,500 at auction.
Pennies from 1982 are not the only Lincoln coins of value.
Read More on The US Sun
Learn about the unique feature, uncovered by another coin expert, that could make your 1983 penny worth well over $20,000.
There is also another important feature of a 1993 penny could potentially make it worth more than $50,000.
