Wide AM cents

TwoSides2aCoin · October 4, 2008 11:51PM

A proof die was used on the reverse of some of the cents in 1998, 1999, and 2000.
The Wide AM cents are "proof" to me that all coins are worth checking for anomalies.

This was on ebay and went unsold with a BuyNow price of $100. Regardless of that, I think this is one for future generations. There are only so many available.

BillyKingsley · October 4, 2008 11:54PM

How can you tell the proof dies from the regular? I've got tons of 98-00 cents-more then any except the 55-57 era and I've been tossing them into the spend jar. Probably about 20 of them each, or more.

TwoSides2aCoin · October 5, 2008 12:03AM

The"A" and "M" in AMERICA on the reverse is touching on the regular business strikes, Bill.

That tiny gap between the A and M is not easy to see, and the designer initials are also different.

BillyKingsley · October 5, 2008 12:16AM

Ahh, thanks. I never paid attention to that before. Now I get to go through them all again...it's probably about 300-400 coins, when the jar gets full it gets deposited at the bank. It'll be fun!

lasvegasteddy · October 5, 2008 4:37AM

don't forget the 1992 too....92 close am's are the prize of them all

tahoe98 · October 5, 2008 5:04AM

...........fun to check for these. but you need a big bottle of industrial strength VISINE!! after your done.

GrumpyEd · October 5, 2008 5:22AM

A fun thing to look for among the zincolns

coppercoins · October 5, 2008 5:35AM

I am still of the opinion (and have never been proven otherwise) that the wide AM cents of 1998, 1999, and 2000 might have been produced by a hub intended for use on proof dies, but the dies that struck the coins in question are definitely business strike dies, NOT proof dies.

TwoSides2aCoin · October 5, 2008 5:44AM

<< I am still of the opinion (and have never been proven otherwise) that the wide AM cents of 1998, 1999, and 2000 might have been produced by a hub intended for use on proof dies, but the dies that struck the coins in question are definitely business strike dies, NOT proof dies. >>

What makes them "business strike dies" ? Is it because of the way they are prepared or that they were struck on planchets at a facility which mints business struck coins ? It is peculiar, at best, trying to make CENTS of it all.

Thank you for helping.

tahoe98 · October 5, 2008 5:47AM

...............

GrumpyEd · October 5, 2008 7:04AM

<< Is it because of the way they are prepared >>

I think that's the reason.
The dies were made using a hub intended for proof dies but they weren't prepared as proof dies. (none of the coins struck by them are prooflike)

JRocco · October 5, 2008 7:37AM

I never really got it either.
I believe what CD is saying about using dies
intended for proof coinage to be true, but the dies do not show proof characteristics.
The letters do not resemble proof letters??????

BlackBeard · October 6, 2008 3:00AM

<< I never really got it either.
I believe what CD is saying about using dies
intended for proof coinage to be true, but the dies do not show proof characteristics.
The letters do not resemble proof letters?????? >>

Possibly because the business strikes are only struck one time and the proofs are struck multiple times which may account for the sharpness of the lettering.

ProofArtworkonCircs · October 6, 2008 2:35PM

I have seen close style AM cents that nevertheless had a wide AM separation. The FG matched the close AM style.

lasvegasteddy · October 6, 2008 3:30PM

not mentioned much here is the 1999-s close am proof

i've never seen one to know if it's reverse looks proof or buisness in appearance

anyone care to share on the 99 proof with the buisness reverse die?

GrumpyEd · October 6, 2008 3:39PM

<< i've never seen one to know if it's reverse looks proof or buisness in appearance >>

The finish on the 99-S close AM proofs look like a normal proof on both obv and rev.

<< I have seen close style AM cents that nevertheless had a wide AM separation. The FG matched the close AM style. >>

I've seen those too, they look like that because of die wear and die polish so they have a gap but they're still normal close AMs. Sure makes you look twice

lasvegasteddy · October 6, 2008 3:50PM

thanks ed

TwoSides2aCoin · October 7, 2008 2:10PM

<< I have seen close style AM cents that nevertheless had a wide AM separation. The FG matched the close AM style. >>

I am curious if people know the difference.
Touching

GrumpyEd · October 7, 2008 2:19PM

That's one of the close AMs with a gap.

If someone buys it they'll find out if they try having it slabbed as a wide AM.

tggr · October 7, 2008 3:13PM

What are the 2000 wide am going for now? I have 10 of them all high ms.

tggr · October 8, 2008 6:52AM

ttt for an answer.

GrumpyEd · October 8, 2008 6:59AM

They went for more a few years ago, here's some in NGC plastic, PCGS should do better:

NGC 66 RED on ebay for $30

tggr · October 8, 2008 7:24AM

thank you .

ProofArtworkonCircs · October 8, 2008 12:31PM

I find the differences in FG more distinctive and interesting than the AM separation which can fool you at times. I have found very few supious 2000 wide AM. On the wide AM variety, the FG is closer to the building and the G has serifs. In life, Frank Gasparro never put serifs on his initials. It is fitting that they are gone on the close AM variety. A roll of close AM is noticeably shorter than a roll of wide AM. I take a perverse pleasure in sorting my pennies into two piles - pre 1993 (wide AM) and 1993 and after (close AM). I roll them and see if I can get any rise out of the bank tellers.

I quite agree with the folks that state that the recent date wide AM coins are from proof artwork, but otherwise are normal looking business strikes. Incidently this has happened on other series. These include the 1972 T 2 Ike dollar, 1958 and 1959 Franklin half reverse and 1956-1964, 1969D-1972D Washington quarter reverses.

edited for typo - replace 1936 with 1956

Wide AM cents

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