Expert: PAPAJACK - 9/23/2008

Question
I just started collecting US coins. I have 1999 Lincoln penny with AM in the AMERICA are closed together and I have 1999 Lincoln penny with AM wide openend. Which coin have more value?

Answer
Hello Roland,                            

You are referring to the letters A and M in the word AMERICA on the back of a modern One Cent coin.

These are a variety more than an error coin.
The dies made to produce the "Proof" coins have always been made with great care and have had a space between these two letters. Proof dies are made to also strike the coin at least 2 times each and rather slowly, this greatly improves the detail and sharpness of the image and lettering on the coin.  

The production dies are not always as perfect as the proof dies are. Also the high-speed production of the cent hampers how well the coins are struck; the presses turn out more than 700 coins a minute.

All these tools are made by the same tool and die makers in the Philadelphia Mint. Now if a proof die is made but some how 'not up to standard' they will release it to the high production department to make circulation coins with it instead of throwing the die away.
The coins produced will have the characteristics of the proof coin (such as the A and M having a space) but not be as sharp due to the speed and pressure the machine uses for circulating coins.
I am sure you could find some other date cents with the space between the letters but as I said it is only a variety not an ERROR-COIN. The coins value is not more than a One Cent coin with the letters touching in the same grade.

There are volumes written on each of the coins made by people who have studied all the tools that made the dies that produce the coin, you just have not yet read about the 1999 date etc… Get used to seeing the coins and how they should look. Don't worry about too many of the quirks that have happened recently during production.

If there are terms I used you are not familiar with to answer your question feel free to write me again.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack