How To Identify A Valuable 1982 Penny In North Dakota

A penny for your thoughts in North Dakota?

It could really pay off to crack your piggy bank and look for a rare and valuable 1982 penny that is worth anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000. That's a heck of a trade-off, a penny for $20K, and it could be in your bank, according to an article on JM Bullion.

Besides an 1982 honest Abe Lincoln penny, what else should you be looking for on the coin to cash in?

There are 4 things you should be looking for:

#1. The Date The Penny Was Made - This should be the very first thing to look for when it comes to this penny, the date. It has to be minted in 1982, with no exceptions. Any other year, you should move on.

#2. The 1982 Penny Mint Mark - Located directly below the year 1982, you want to find the letter "D". In case you are wondering, this means the coin was minted in Denver, Colorado.

#3. 1982 Penny Weight - This is also very important to be certain one hundred percent. The penny must weigh roughly 3.1 grams. If you are between 2.98 grams and up, you are likely in the ballpark enough. You'll want to make sure you weigh your penny on a really sensitive scale, like something a jeweler would have, to get the most accurate weight.

#4. 1982 Small Date Penny - Okay, if you've made it through the first 3 indicators, it all comes down to this. You'll want a magnifying glass or a phone with a good camera for detailed pictures, and another penny for comparison.

What you are looking for are NOTICABLY SMALLER letters and numbers on this penny compared to a standard penny.

That's it! If you checked all 4 boxes, take it to a local Bismarck-Mandan coin shop to see if they can help you positively identify it. Oh, don't forget your favorite DJ after you score $20K. Buy me lunch anyway.