1998, 1999 & 2000 Pennies
💡 Think Pennies Are Just Pocket Change? Think Again!
Before you spend that handful of coins, take a closer look at your 1998, 1999, and 2000 Lincoln Memorial cents. 🔍
Some of these everyday pennies contain a hidden minting error — known as the Wide AM variety — and they can be worth hundreds of dollars to collectors.
🔍 What Exactly Is the “Wide AM” Error?
The difference lies on the reverse (back) of the coin — specifically in the word “AMERICA.”
Here’s what to look for:
| Type | What You’ll See | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Penny | The A and M in AMERICA are touching. | 💵 1¢ |
| Wide AM Error | The A and M are clearly separated with visible spacing. | 💰 Up to $500 |
👉 If you see that extra spacing, congratulations — you might be holding a coin worth far more than its face value!
📊 Value Guide by Year
| Year | Condition | Estimated Value 💵 |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Circulated | Around $25 |
| 2000 | Circulated | Around $20 |
| 1999 | High Grade | Up to $500 |
⚡ Pro Tip: The 1999 Wide AM is the rarest and most valuable of the three.
💎 Why These Pennies Are Valuable
These coins were created by mistake when the U.S. Mint accidentally used a proof coin reverse die on some regular business-strike pennies.
Collectors love these “variety errors” because they’re rare, visually unique, and easy to verify.
In top condition, a single Wide AM penny can bring in hundreds of dollars at auction — especially those graded MS-65 or higher by PCGS or NGC.
✅ Step-by-Step: How to Check Your Change
1️⃣ Grab a Magnifier 🔎 – Use a jeweler’s loupe or a 10x magnifying glass.
2️⃣ Inspect “AMERICA” – Focus on the A and M.
3️⃣ Compare Carefully – If they’re spaced apart, you may have the Wide AM variety.
4️⃣ Handle Gently – Don’t clean the coin; store it in a protective coin holder.
5️⃣ Consider Grading – Submit to PCGS or NGC if your coin looks uncirculated.
🏆 Where These Coins Have Been Found
✨ Coin jars or coffee tins from the late 1990s
🏦 Bank rolls still sitting in storage
🧳 Old family collections or inherited boxes
💼 Coin dealer “junk bins” — you never know!
🚨 Avoid These Mistakes
❌ Don’t clean the coin — it kills collector value instantly.
❌ Don’t confuse machine doubling with true Wide AM spacing.
❌ Always verify your coin’s features using reference photos from PCGS or NGC.
💰 Final Thoughts: Tiny Coins, Big Value
The 1998, 1999, and 2000 Wide AM Lincoln cents are small treasures hiding in plain sight.
With the 1999 version fetching up to $500, it pays to check your change carefully — that one penny could turn into a collector’s prize! 🪙✨
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