Do you have a variety cent and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.
While going through my pocket change I scan all the coins for any defect, error, or variety. I commonly I find machine doubling or minor die cracks but I have found this one variety several times.
The 1998 Wide AM is a United States cent that has a reverse normally used on proof coins. It is barely noticeable. Starting in 1993 they moved the A and M in AMERICA closer together (almost touching) for circulating coins. Only proof coins have the A and M a little spaced.
It is easier to notice on the little FG initials on the right of the Lincoln Memorial. For circulating coins it is farther apart while on proofs it is almost touching.
Confused enough here are the pictures to help.

Both types next to each other.

This is the Type II or Wide AM.

This is the Type I or Close AM.
On the second image you can see the slight gap between the A and M while the F is almost touching the memorial building.
On the third image you can see no gap between the A and M while the F is far from the memorial building.
This also exist in 1992, 1999 and 2000. Reports of 1993 and other years and mintmarks are rare but seem to be real. Depending on what type it will have different values for all grades.
This is the third 1998 Wide AM I found, I thought I found a 1999 but I misplaced the coin.
Since the discovery in 2002 the values has fluctuated because it was thought to be rare but so many were found that it lost value .
In MS-65(Mint State-65) :
- The 1998 Wide AM in 2003 = $35.00
- The 1998 Wide AM in 2004-2005 = $30.00
- The 1998 Wide AM in 2006-2012 = $10.00
The lesson is sometimes selling early is a good thing.
Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1998 Wide AM
Mintage: 5,032,155,000
(unknown how many of each type exists)
Metal: 97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper
Value: $0.20 in VF-20
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1998 Close AM or Normal Strike
Mintage: 5,032,155,000
(unknown how many of each type exists)
Metal: 97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper
Value: $0.01 in EF-40
Do you have a cent error and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.