What is a 1982 silver penny?
The 1982 silver penny is a one-cent coin struck by the United States Mint in 1982. It was the first and only year that the penny was struck in silver since 1943. The coin was struck to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington, the first President of the United States.
The 1982 silver penny is made of a copper-nickel clad composition, with a silver-colored clad layer. The coin has a diameter of 19.05 mm and a weight of 3.11 grams. The obverse (heads) of the coin features a portrait of George Washington, while the reverse (tails) features the Lincoln Memorial.
The 1982 silver penny was a popular coin when it was first released, and it remains a popular collectible today. The coin is often used in jewelry and other crafts. It is also a popular investment, as it is made of silver and has a limited mintage.
The 1982 silver penny is a significant coin in American history. It is the first and only year that the penny was struck in silver since 1943. The coin is also a popular collectible and investment.
1982 silver penny
The 1982 silver penny is a unique and significant coin in American history. It is the first and only year that the penny was struck in silver since 1943. The coin was struck to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington, the first President of the United States.
- Composition: Copper-nickel clad with a silver-colored clad layer
- Diameter: 19.05 mm
- Weight: 3.11 grams
- Obverse: Portrait of George Washington
- Reverse: Lincoln Memorial
- Mintage: 1,054,104,000
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Sculptor: John Mercanti
- Rarity: Common
The 1982 silver penny is a popular coin among collectors and investors. It is also a popular coin to use in jewelry and other crafts. The coin is often mistaken for a dime, so it is important to be able to identify it correctly.
Here are some tips for identifying a 1982 silver penny:
- The coin is silver-colored.
- The coin has a diameter of 19.05 mm.
- The coin weighs 3.11 grams.
- The coin has a raised edge.
- The coin has a reeded edge.
If you find a coin that matches these criteria, you may have a 1982 silver penny. The coin is worth about 10 cents in circulated condition and up to $1 in uncirculated condition.
Personal details and bio data of 1982 silver penny designer Frank Gasparro
| Name | Born | Died | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Gasparro | November 22, 1909 | December 26, 2002 | Sculptor and coin designer |
Composition
The 1982 silver penny is composed of a copper-nickel clad with a silver-colored clad layer. This composition gives the coin its distinctive silver appearance. The copper-nickel clad is also harder and more durable than pure silver, which makes the coin more resistant to wear and tear.
The silver-colored clad layer is made of a copper-nickel alloy that is plated with a thin layer of silver. This gives the coin the appearance of a silver coin, but it is actually much less expensive to produce.
The composition of the 1982 silver penny is important because it gives the coin its unique appearance and durability. The coin is also less expensive to produce than a pure silver coin, which makes it a more practical choice for everyday use.
Diameter
The diameter of the 1982 silver penny is 19.05 mm. This is the same diameter as the Lincoln penny, which has been produced since 1909. The diameter of the penny has remained the same for over 100 years because it is a convenient size for everyday use.
- Ease of Use: The small diameter of the penny makes it easy to carry and use in everyday transactions. It is also easy to stack and store, which makes it convenient for businesses and individuals.
- Machinability: The diameter of the penny is also important for its machinability. The coin can be easily struck and stamped, which makes it efficient to produce.
- Distinguishability: The diameter of the penny helps to distinguish it from other coins. The penny is smaller than a nickel, dime, or quarter, which makes it easy to identify.
- Historical Significance: The diameter of the penny has remained the same for over 100 years, which gives it historical significance. The penny is a symbol of American history and culture, and its diameter is a part of that history.
The diameter of the 1982 silver penny is an important part of the coin's design and history. The small diameter makes the coin easy to use, stack, and store. It also helps to distinguish the penny from other coins. The diameter of the penny has remained the same for over 100 years, which gives it historical significance.
Weight
The weight of the 1982 silver penny is 3.11 grams. This is the same weight as the Lincoln penny, which has been produced since 1909. The weight of the penny has remained the same for over 100 years because it is a convenient weight for everyday use.
- Ease of Use: The light weight of the penny makes it easy to carry and use in everyday transactions. It is also easy to stack and store, which makes it convenient for businesses and individuals.
- Machinability: The weight of the penny is also important for its machinability. The coin can be easily struck and stamped, which makes it efficient to produce.
- Distinguishability: The weight of the penny helps to distinguish it from other coins. The penny is lighter than a nickel, dime, or quarter, which makes it easy to identify.
- Historical Significance: The weight of the penny has remained the same for over 100 years, which gives it historical significance. The penny is a symbol of American history and culture, and its weight is a part of that history.
The weight of the 1982 silver penny is an important part of the coin's design and history. The light weight makes the coin easy to use, stack, and store. It also helps to distinguish the penny from other coins. The weight of the penny has remained the same for over 100 years, which gives it historical significance.
Obverse
The obverse of the 1982 silver penny features a portrait of George Washington. This is a significant design element, as it is the first time that a portrait of George Washington has appeared on a U.S. coin since the 1932 Washington quarter. The portrait is based on a painting by Gilbert Stuart, which is considered to be one of the most iconic images of George Washington.
The decision to place a portrait of George Washington on the 1982 silver penny was made to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth. Washington is considered to be one of the most important figures in American history, and his portrait is a fitting tribute to his legacy.
The portrait of George Washington on the 1982 silver penny is a reminder of the important role that Washington played in the founding of the United States. It is also a beautiful and iconic image that has become synonymous with the penny.
Reverse
The reverse of the 1982 silver penny features the Lincoln Memorial. This is a significant design element, as it is the first time that the Lincoln Memorial has appeared on a U.S. coin. The memorial is a national monument that commemorates the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
The decision to place the Lincoln Memorial on the 1982 silver penny was made to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination. Lincoln is considered to be one of the most important figures in American history, and the memorial is a fitting tribute to his legacy.
The Lincoln Memorial is a beautiful and iconic structure that is instantly recognizable to Americans. It is a powerful symbol of Lincoln's leadership and his commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality.
The 1982 silver penny is a reminder of the important role that Lincoln played in American history. It is also a beautiful and iconic coin that has become synonymous with the penny.
Mintage
The mintage of a coin refers to the number of coins that are produced by a mint. The mintage of the 1982 silver penny is 1,054,104,000. This means that 1,054,104,000 silver pennies were produced in 1982.
The mintage of a coin is important because it affects the rarity and value of the coin. The lower the mintage, the rarer the coin is, and the more valuable it is. The 1982 silver penny has a relatively high mintage, which means that it is not a rare coin. However, it is still a valuable coin because it is made of silver.
The mintage of the 1982 silver penny is also important because it provides insight into the economic conditions of the United States in 1982. The high mintage suggests that the economy was strong and that there was a high demand for coins.
Overall, the mintage of the 1982 silver penny is a significant factor that affects the rarity, value, and historical context of the coin.
Designer
Frank Gasparro was a renowned American sculptor and coin designer. He is best known for designing the 1982 silver penny, which was issued to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington.
Gasparro's design for the 1982 silver penny is a classic example of his work. The obverse of the coin features a portrait of George Washington, while the reverse features the Lincoln Memorial. The coin is simple and elegant, and it has become one of the most popular and recognizable pennies in American history.
Gasparro's design for the 1982 silver penny was a significant achievement. It was the first time that a portrait of George Washington had appeared on a U.S. coin since the 1932 Washington quarter. It was also the first time that the Lincoln Memorial had appeared on a U.S. coin.
Gasparro's design for the 1982 silver penny is a testament to his skill as a sculptor and coin designer. The coin is a beautiful and enduring work of art, and it is a fitting tribute to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Sculptor
John Mercanti was an American sculptor and coin designer who is best known for his work on the 1982 silver penny. Mercanti's design for the coin was selected through a competition held by the United States Mint. His design featured a portrait of George Washington on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.
Mercanti's design for the 1982 silver penny was a significant departure from the previous design of the penny. The previous design, which had been in use since 1959, featured a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. Mercanti's design was more modern and stylized, and it reflected the changing tastes of the American public.
The 1982 silver penny was a popular coin, and it is still collected by many people today. The coin is a reminder of the important role that John Mercanti played in the history of American coinage.
Mercanti's design for the 1982 silver penny is a classic example of his work. The coin is simple and elegant, and it has become one of the most popular and recognizable pennies in American history. Mercanti's design is a testament to his skill as a sculptor and coin designer.
Rarity
The 1982 silver penny is a common coin, meaning that it was produced in large quantities and is not particularly rare. This is in contrast to some other coins, such as the 1943 steel penny, which was produced in very limited quantities and is now very valuable.
There are a few reasons why the 1982 silver penny is so common. First, it was produced for only one year, which means that there are not as many of them in circulation as there would be if it had been produced for multiple years. Second, the coin was not made of pure silver, which makes it less valuable than silver coins. Finally, the 1982 silver penny was not particularly popular with collectors, which means that there is not a high demand for the coin.
The fact that the 1982 silver penny is common does not mean that it is not valuable. The coin is still made of silver, which gives it some value. Additionally, the 1982 silver penny is a historical coin, as it was produced to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington.
If you find a 1982 silver penny, it is worth keeping it. The coin is not particularly valuable, but it is a piece of history and it may be worth more in the future.
FAQs about the 1982 Silver Penny
This section answers common questions about the 1982 silver penny to provide clear and concise information for better understanding and knowledge.
Question 1: What is the composition of the 1982 silver penny?The 1982 silver penny is composed of a copper-nickel clad with a silver-colored clad layer. This composition gives the coin its distinctive silver appearance and makes it more durable than pure silver.
Question 2: What is the diameter of the 1982 silver penny?The 1982 silver penny has a diameter of 19.05 mm, the same as the Lincoln penny produced since 1909. This consistent diameter ensures convenient use, efficient production, and easy distinction from other coins.
Question 3: How much does the 1982 silver penny weigh?The 1982 silver penny weighs 3.11 grams, also aligning with the weight of the Lincoln penny. This weight allows for practical handling, stacking, storage, and differentiation from other coins.
Question 4: Who designed the obverse of the 1982 silver penny?The obverse of the 1982 silver penny features a portrait of George Washington designed by Frank Gasparro, a renowned American sculptor and coin designer.
Question 5: Who sculpted the reverse of the 1982 silver penny?The reverse of the 1982 silver penny showcasing the Lincoln Memorial was sculpted by John Mercanti, an American sculptor and coin designer.
Question 6: How rare is the 1982 silver penny?The 1982 silver penny is a common coin, meaning it was produced in large quantities and is not particularly rare.
These FAQs provide essential information about the 1982 silver penny, covering its composition, dimensions, weight, designers, and rarity. Understanding these aspects enhances numismatic knowledge and fosters appreciation for this unique coin.
As we delve further, the following section will explore the historical context and significance of the 1982 silver penny.
Conclusion
The 1982 silver penny stands as a unique and significant coin in American history. Minted to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth, this coin marked a departure from traditional penny designs and showcased the artistry of Frank Gasparro and John Mercanti.
While common in circulation, the 1982 silver penny remains a valuable piece of numismatic history. Its silver composition, coupled with its historical significance, makes it an enduring collectible and a testament to the legacy of George Washington and the evolution of American coinage.
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