I think you mean about the Wide AM...if that is right, on the back in America some coins have a wider space between the A and the M...some of the coins have the AM touching--I once had all of them from change and since I don't collect variaties I used them...I might have been able to sell them for a few dollars but I didn't think I could back then...oh well. Speedy
Thanks. I'm assuming then that Type I is where they are touching and Type II is where they are WIDE? Is this limited to those years? I have a 1971 lincoln memorial where there seems to be a gap between the A and M.
Let's see if I can get this right from memory. In 1993, the wide AM was supposed to be used only on proof strikes, while the touching AM was to be used on business and mint set strikes. For some of the years after 1993 the wide AM dies were used on the reverses for non proof issues. Prior to 1993, the wide AM was used on all strikes. By the way, I've been searching for type II cents for years. Just this weekend I went through 40 rolls. I have never found a single example. Bill
I have a 1971 from circulation that, to me, appears to have a wide A M. So that was by design and not an error?
Yes your 1971 cent with the wide AM is as intended. See the following for more info: http://conecaonline.org/content/feature.html Bill
bmontour is correct on this one. After 1993 the reverses are distinctively different. The proof reverse, basically is very well done, and the business strike well its not quite as expertly done. There are multiple differences in the design and YES they are worth the bucks if you can find them. The easiest way to learn the differences is to lay a normal 2000 business stike side by side with the proof reverse. As mentioned there is a nice gap (spacing) between all the lettering on a proof coin where the business strike has the A and M touching or nearly touching in America. Also the proof coin (Type 2) has a very neatly done S in States, not so on the business strike! Last, but not least, the designers initials next to the Lincoln Memorial are located a little farther from the Memorial and the designers initials are very complete on the proof die. The G makes the turn inward (center of the G) and the business strike just ends on the upward post. Also the G has a small tail at the bottom, as if the G was written, where the business strike does not. Best way to find the differences, as I said, are to lay a 2000 business strike beside and 2000 proof cent and compare the differences. When you find a 98,99 or 2000 business strike with a proof reverse you will then know it very quickly. For what it is worth I have received (2001) any where from $28 to $53 for the coins in unc. condition and the current Redbook lists them in MS65 at $35.00. The 98, to my knowledge, is the most scarce and after searching hundreds of rolls in 2001 I only managed to find one! Good luck with your hunt.
Back when I first heard about this variety, I had gone thru several years of throwing my pocket change into a big glass container. I fished them all out and must've gone thru about 300-400 cents dated 2000. Out of the whole batch, I lucked out and found one wide AM in AU condition. Not yet found the other dates.
<The 98, to my knowledge, is the most scarce and after searching hundreds of rolls in 2001 I only managed to find one!> The 1999 is the rare one.
