We have been seeing numerous examples of such die deterioration and copper plating issues and anamolies over Zinc core plating doubling and so on just as well the mint ends the Cent life cycle for good.
A "1982-D small date" cent is considered a "bronze" transitional error, meaning it was struck on a leftover copper planchet during the transition from solid copper to copper-plated zinc pennies, making it a rare and valuable coin if it is indeed a true "small date" variety; the key identifier is that it will weigh closer to 3.1 grams like a traditional copper penny, unlike the lighter copper-plated zinc pennies which weigh around 2.5 grams.