A 1999 Lincoln penny may look completely ordinary from the front, but a tiny difference on the back can identify a scarce variety worth considerably more than one cent.

Today’s Check Your Change find is the 1999 Wide AM Lincoln Memorial cent.

What should you look for?

First, check the date beneath Lincoln’s portrait. You are looking for a 1999 penny without a mintmark. The absence of a mintmark indicates that it was struck in Philadelphia.

Turn the penny over and examine the word AMERICA above the Lincoln Memorial. A magnifying glass or phone camera with a macro setting will help.

• Ordinary 1999 penny: The bottoms of the A and M nearly touch. This is called the Close AM design.
• Valuable variety: There is a clearly visible space between the A and M. This is the Wide AM design.

A second diagnostic is designer Frank Gasparro’s small FG initials near the Memorial’s lower-right side. On the Wide AM variety, the initials are positioned farther from the Memorial than on the standard reverse.

Both characteristics should match. Dirt, wear or a scratch between the letters does not turn a Close AM penny into the collectible variety.

How did the Wide AM variety happen?

The Lincoln Memorial reverse was designed by Frank Gasparro and appeared on circulating cents from 1959 through 2008.

During the 1990s, slightly different reverse designs were used for circulation and proof coins. Ordinary 1999 circulation strikes were supposed to receive the Close AM reverse. However, a small number were apparently struck using a proof-style reverse die with the Wide AM spacing.

The recognized 1999 Wide AM is cataloged as FS-901. GreatCollections identifies it as the scarcest of the three Wide AM circulation dates—1998, 1999 and 2000—and confirms the separated letters and relocated FG initials. See the GreatCollections diagnostic description.

How much could one be worth?

A genuine 1999 Wide AM cent can be worth approximately $50 to $200 in circulated or lower uncirculated condition, depending on wear, color and surface quality. Attractive red uncirculated examples can bring several hundred dollars, while exceptionally high certified grades may sell for more.

Avoid assuming that every 1999 penny is valuable. More than five billion regular Philadelphia cents were produced that year, and nearly all have the ordinary Close AM reverse. The Wide AM is only a small, unknown portion of that production.

Copper-plated zinc cents are easily scratched, spotted and discolored. Original red color, minimal contact marks and strong details usually bring the highest premiums. Authentication and condition determine the actual value.

What should you do if you find one?

Do not clean, polish, rub or scrape the penny. Cleaning can permanently damage its thin copper plating and reduce its value.

Hold it by the edges and photograph the entire front and back. Then take close-up pictures of AMERICA and the FG initials. Store it in a non-PVC coin flip or protective capsule and consider professional authentication before selling it.

Have you found a Wide AM penny—or do you have coins, paper currency or a larger collection? The Patriot Vault may be interested in buying your coin, currency or broader collection. Reply to this post and tell us what you have!