Metal Composition: 97.5% Zinc - 2.5% Copper after 1982
Diameter: 19 mm
Mass / Weight: 2.5 grams
What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.): Depicted above is the 97.5% zinc composite 1982 Small Date Lincoln Memorial Cent (Penny).
The Mint produced two major varieties of the 1982 Lincoln Memorial Cent (Penny). One had a large date and the other had a small date. In addition: the metal composition changed from a more expensive 95% copper penny to a cheaper 97.5% zinc composite penny that is now presently being produced. The only difference is the weight of the coin and the size of the dates. Depicted below is an example image comparison of the small date vs large date 1982 penny. Note that the "82" is level with the preceding "1" and the arrow depicts more space within the 2 with the smaller date. The small date numbers were also "slimmer" as opposed to the "fatter" numbers of the large date. Click the image to enlarge: