IF you stumble across a 1982 penny, you could be holding a ticket to a significant windfall.
A coin expert has revealed how a small detail can be worth enough to buy a car or even a down payment on a house.
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Couch Collectibles (@realjustincouch) explains on a TikTok that In 1982, the U.S. Mint produced two varieties of pennies: small dates and large dates.
Understanding the differences between them is crucial for collectors and enthusiasts.
The most direct way to distinguish between a small date and a large date is by looking at the number “2” in the year.
On the small date version, you will notice a slight curve above the “2”.
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In contrast, the large date has a more angular appearance, with the numeral going straight down and forming a sharp right angle at the bottom.
If you find a 1982 coin with this small distinctive 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 WEIGHT
After identifying a small coin with the “D” mint mark, the next step is to weigh the coin.
Standard 1982 pennies are expected to weigh approximately 2.5 grams.
However, if you find one weighing around 3.1 grams, you may have struck gold.
This weight discrepancy is due to a rare occurrence in which a penny coin was mistakenly struck on a planchet composed primarily of copper rather than the usual zinc-coated copper.
According to Couch, one such penny sold at auction “for over $10,000,” showing the incredible value that can come from this seemingly common coin.
BILLS THAT PAY BILLS
In the world of coin and coin collecting, it pays to keep an eye on your money.
Another TikToker and coin expert, Eric Miller (@thecoinchannel) recently shed light on a valuable mistake to watch out for in $20 bills – a mistake that could make them worth a surprising $55,200.
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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.
Although the note was only from 1993, it still had the potential for significant value due to a rare printing error known as a “double denomination” error.
This error occurs when the front of the bill looks like a standard value of $20, but the back is printed as $10. Such errors are extremely uncommon, especially on older bills.
Miller explained that these “big mistakes” are becoming harder to find as the years go by.
The value of a double-denomination note can vary widely based on its condition.
A well-preserved note can sell for more than $55,200, while another with a similar error but in worse condition recently sold for $32,900.
Having the note evaluated by professional collectors can further increase its value, making it essential that collectors seek a specialized evaluation.
In addition to double denomination errors, Miller highlighted another aspect of coin collecting that can lead to significant value: special serial numbers.
He displayed a particularly rare $20 bill with the serial number 01234567, known as the “ascending ladder” bill.
Ascending ladder notes feature serial numbers that increase sequentially.
Notes can also have descending ladder numbers, which start at the highest number and go down.
These unique serial numbers can appear on any coin denomination and are highly sought after by collectors.
Miller noted that a professionally graded ascending $20 bill recently sold on eBay for a whopping $7,500.
In contrast, an ungraded $10 bill with a similar ascending pattern fetched just $2,500 at auction.
1982 cents are not the only Lincoln coins of value.
Learn about the unique feature, discovered by another coin expert, that could make your 1983 penny worth well over $20,000.
There is also another important feature: a 1993 penny could potentially be worth more than $50,000.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
