are the wam's only on the 1998, 1999, and 2000 coins? or they on the 1993 and up? all plain, do d mints? so far i have one 2000 and one 1998
Those are the ones that indisputably exist. There are "rumors" of a 1996 being found. I check everything from 1993 and later for the WAM, and the 1992's for the CAM.
Given the absolute fact that Proof Dies were used on the circulating coin production presses (and this is substantiated in other coin series such as the Washington Quarters and Eisenhower Dollars), it would not surprise me in the least if more years were "discovered". All folks really have to do is look.
Wide AM. On circulation-strike cents before 1992, the AM in AMERICA on the reverse have a distinct space between them. After 1992, circulation strike cents have the AM extremely close if not touching. However, proof dies after 1992 still used the wide space. When circulation strikes were accidentally struck with a proof die, the acquired the wide AM and they are an error. The most common years are 1998 and 2000 with (I believe) 1995's being known to exist as well. cams (Close AMs) are 1992's struck with a 1993 reverse die causing them to have a close AM. Dang, jello beat me to it lol
So far none have been reported from Denver, and after 1996 they would not be possible from Denver. They are the result of a die hubbed for making proofs being used for business strikes. The Proof dies are made in Philadelphia. Before 1997 Denver's dies were made in Philadelphia as well so it could be possible for proof dies to be shipped there. In 1997 Denver started making their own dies and Philadelphia only provided them with the master hubs. So after 1996 for Denver to make WAM's Philadelphia would have had to send them a proof master hub and in that case ALL of the cents they made that year would be WAM's. I think that would have been noticed.
