Wide AM (In America) - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 13 / Views: 11,165
Fletch New Member United States 4 Posts	Posted 02/07/2007 2:23 pm There are a few dates on the Lincoln Cent where it says Wide AM (in America) and I'm not sure what this looks like, so if anyone has one of these coins could you please post a pic? Thanks Report this Post to the Staff

Metalman Pillar of the Community United States 7123 Posts	Posted 02/07/2007 2:38 pm Hi Fletch If you look at the AM of a 1992 or earlier Lincoln Cent they will show you what a Wide AM looks like and then compare those to a newer cent 1993 or newer( Close AM) you will see what the difference is . the proof cents used to have the Close AM and the circulation cents had the Wide AM,, In 1993 they switched them so that the proof cents now have the Wide AM and the circulation cents are the Close AM,, the variety is from a mistake where some circulation cents were struck from the Wide AM proof dies.post 1992. but to see the difference all you need are a cent from before 1992 and one from 1993 to date . Rick Report this Post to the Staff
coppercoins Pillar of the Community United States 7629 Posts	Posted 02/07/2007 2:40 pm Actually the difference is mostly in a space between the A and M of AMERICA, and is a normal cent reverse, it was just used in the wrong years. The important thing to note is the proper years for each of the reverses, then you can go in your change, grab a couple of examples and a loupe, and look for the differences. The " Wide AM" reverse has a gap between the A and M of AMERICA. It is supposed to be on all cents up to an including 1992. The " Close AM" design started in 1993. The A and M of AMERICA touch on this reverse version. The oddities discovered to date are: 1992 - Close AM 1992D - Close AM 1998 - Wide AM 1999 - Wide AM 2000 - Wide AM The proof cents are a different story entirely. ALL cent proofs from 1988 to date are supposed to have the same ( Wide AM) reverse with the sole exception of 1993, which is supposed to have the Close AM reverse. To date there have been two proof cent issues discovered where in rare cases the wrong reverse was used. They are 1998S and 1999S. The INCORRECT reverse for these two years would be the same reverse that's supposed to be on the business strike coins for those years. A bit confusing at first, these things should be easy to spot with a little experience looking at them. Again, my best suggestion is to grab any 1990, 1991, or 1992 cent and compare the details of the reverse with any cent minted after 1992. The specific details that are different are: 1. The obvious, the A and M are separated on the Wide AM while they touch on the Close AM. 2. The designer's initials are closer to the right base of the memorial on the Wide AM. 3. The G of the initials has a crosslet running across the center on the Close AM. This crosslet is absent on the Wide AM. 4. The A of STATES is equidistant from the two Ts on the Wide AM. The same letter is closer to the second T on the Close AM coins. Have fun! Report this Post to the Staff
coppercoins Pillar of the Community United States 7629 Posts	Posted 02/07/2007 2:41 pm Metalman - the proofs all have the Wide AM with the sole exception of the 1993 issue. Report this Post to the Staff
Metalman Pillar of the Community United States 7123 Posts	Posted 02/07/2007 2:47 pm Thanks for the correction coppercoins . Metalman Report this Post to the Staff
Fletch New Member United States 4 Posts	Posted 02/07/2007 5:33 pm Okay I understand now. Thanks for all the help! Report this Post to the Staff
mike28 New Member United States 22 Posts	Posted 02/07/2007 6:11 pm here is a picture of a 2000 Wide AM I found today, these pictures should help you out Image: 2000 wide.jpg 77.57 KB Image: 2000 normal.jpg 100.11 KB Report this Post to the Staff
pennybright Valued Member United States 117 Posts	Posted 02/08/2007 9:16 pm I have noticed that there are 2 spacing categories for the Wide AM in the 1992 & (D) - the "normal" wide 1992D AM, and a less common "wider" spacing of the A & M on these. What would be the difference (other than the width of the spacing, of course). Thanks again! Report this Post to the Staff
coppercoins Pillar of the Community United States 7629 Posts	Posted 02/09/2007 09:55 am There is no difference. You're likely looking at differing depths of hubbing. There are only two different designs we are discussing here, and no more. If there is a space between the A and M it is the Wide AM. If they touch, it's the Close AM. The other diagnostics I pointed out before can help determine which you have, but the differences are fairly easy to spot. Report this Post to the Staff
mike28 New Member United States 22 Posts	Posted 02/09/2007 8:36 pm copper coins, I somewhat disagree with you, I have come across a couple that have a small space and do not touch but arent as far apart as atleast the one I posted a picture of above, maybe half that distance so there are some differences, but I dont know if the ones only spaces about half the distance as a true Wide AM is worth anything? Report this Post to the Staff
coppercoins Pillar of the Community United States 7629 Posts	Posted 02/09/2007 10:33 pm Mike - There are only two different design hubs in this era. The coins with light spacing between the A and M are weakly hubbed dies that were created with the Close AM reverse. There is no third reverse type. Report this Post to the Staff
mike28 New Member United States 22 Posts	Posted 02/10/2007 11:41 pm Coppercoins - ok, I understand now, I am trying... still a lot to learn! you just threw me off when you said if they touch they are the Close AM and if there is a space they are the Wide AM which is true, BUT you are looking for a wide gap like that is in between the MA in america because there are some out there with small gaps that arent Wide AM'S , thats correct isn't it? Thank you, Mike Report this Post to the Staff
sn31 Pillar of the Community United States 773 Posts	Posted 02/10/2007 11:57 pm Thanks for this post,I was just actually looking at my 1998 Wide AM,and was thinking about posting to inquire of them. All questions answered.Thanks. :) sn31. Report this Post to the Staff
coppercoins Pillar of the Community United States 7629 Posts	Posted 02/13/2007 02:45 am Yes, Mike...true. But they are all the same design. There are ONLY two different designs. If the spacing between the A and M confuses you, then look at the designer's initials. They are different between the two designs. Also the spacing of the A of STATES is different between the two as well. The spacing between the A and M is not the ONLY place to look. It's just the most notable place to look. Something else to take note of is that the relief of the design is overall different between the two designs, as is the shape of some of the letters. Best thing to remember - get a normal coin from each design and when you need to compare a candidate just compare it to your two known normal coins. Report this Post to the Staff
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