Bugeja Flags 20 eBay Listings for $20,000 1982-D Penny as Likely Fakes

Q: Could the loose change in your pocket be a $20,000 treasure, or are viral scammers tricking you with tampered scales?

Probably not. The $20,000 claim is real only for one extremely rare coin: a 1982-D Small Date bronze cent from the Denver Mint that weighs about 3.1 grams. Experts say only two confirmed examples are known, found in 2016 and 2019, and there may not be a third. That means most 1982 pennies being promoted online are ordinary coins. In 1982, the U.S. Mint made several common varieties from both Denver and Philadelphia, with Large Date and Small Date designs and with either bronze or zinc composition. Many look similar, which is why social media posts and online sellers often misidentify them. The rare coin must meet all three tests at once: it needs the “D” mintmark, the Small Date style, and the heavier bronze weight. A 1982-D Small Date that weighs 2.5 grams is common zinc, not the jackpot coin. A 3.1-gram coin with the wrong date style is also not the rarity. Experts warn that some online listings use poor photos, false descriptions, or even tampered scales to make common cents look valuable. Buyers are advised not to rely on casual marketplace listings. A genuine coin should be authenticated, graded, and sealed by a trusted third-party service such as NGC or PCGS, and serious purchases should go through reputable dealers or auction houses. So yes, a penny worth thousands exists, but the odds it is sitting loose in your pocket are extremely low. The bigger risk for most people is being misled by hype or scams.

1 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 16

20 eBay listings recently advertised supposed 1982-D Small Date pennies, with some sellers asking thousands of dollars for coins Michael Bugeja says are likely misidentified or fraudulent.
Only 2 confirmed examples of the rare coin have surfaced since collectors began searching in the 1980s, making fresh finds in pocket change extraordinarily unlikely.
The genuine 1982-D Small Date bronze cent must carry a Denver "D," show Small Date numerals, and weigh 3.1 grams; common 1982 Small Date zinc cents weigh 2.5 grams.
Bugeja said scammers can exploit that confusion by showing Large Date coins on scales or manipulating scale readings, while online marketplaces may offer little recourse for buyers.
With 10.7 billion 1982 pennies minted during the copper-to-zinc transition, experts advise buying only authenticated examples in certified holders through major auction houses or vetted dealers.