Close AM vs Wide AM pennies: 1992, 1998, 1999 and 2000

3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

In short

Look at the letters A and M in AMERICA on the back of a Lincoln Memorial penny (1959–2008).
For 1992 and 1992-D, the rare kind is Close AM, where the A and M almost touch.
For 1998, 1999 and 2000 pennies with no mint mark, the rare kind is Wide AM, with a clear gap. The 1999 is the scarcest.

Why there are two kinds

The Memorial back came in two versions. On one, the A and M in AMERICA have a clear gap between them. This is the Wide AM. On the other, they nearly touch. This is the Close AM.

Ordinary circulation pennies used Wide AM through 1992 and Close AM from 1993. These dates have exceptions:

A small number of 1992 coins used the Close AM reverse. PCGS suggests early testing of the following year’s design as a possible explanation; that is a hypothesis.
In 1998, 1999 and 2000, some everyday pennies were struck with the proof-style Wide AM back by mistake.

How to check

Turn the penny over.
Find AMERICA along the top edge, on the right, between the 1 and 2 o'clock positions.
Look at where the bottoms of the A and the M meet.

A clear gap: Wide AM.
Touching or almost touching: Close AM.

The FG clue. FG stands for designer Frank Gasparro and appears to the right of the Memorial; it is not a mint mark. Compare the shape and position with an authenticated reference of the same date and variety. Published descriptions disagree about the direction of the spacing difference, so do not decide from FG distance alone. Check the AM gap and the complete reverse together.

Which way round is rare

1992 and 1992-D: normal coins are Wide AM. Close AM is the rare one.

1992 Close AM 1992 Close AM
1992-D Close AM 1992-D Close AM

Both are rare despite the large total production that year. The catalogue estimate for an authenticated 1992 Close AM in Extremely Fine condition is $1,400. Condition, authenticity and the sale venue affect actual offers.

1998, 1999 and 2000 (no mint mark): normal coins are Close AM. Wide AM is the rare one.

1998 Wide AM 1998 Wide AM
1999 Wide AM 1999 Wide AM, the scarcest of the three
2000 Wide AM 2000 Wide AM

The catalogue estimate for a 1999 Wide AM in Extremely Fine condition is $13.00; it is not a guaranteed selling price.

TipThe gap is small. Use a magnifier or a sharp phone close-up, and look at several normal pennies from the same year first, so you know what "normal" looks like. Judge the bottoms of the letters, where they come closest.

Check yours

Start with a front photo. A sharp optional reverse photo or AMERICA close-up helps comparison; a photo estimate does not authenticate a rare variety.

Check your own penny

Penny Value is an Android app for now, so it isn't on the App Store. The values and checks on this page are free to use.Penny Value is an Android app. Open this page on your Android phone to check your own penny with a photo.

Coins in this guide

1992 Close AM
Philadelphia · Included in the 4,648,905,000 1992 total; not counted separately.
Key date
$520worn
$2,100MS-60
1992-D Close AM
Denver · Included in the 4,448,673,300 1992-D total; not counted separately.
Variety
$350worn
$1,700MS-60
1998 Wide AM
Philadelphia · Included in the 5,032,200,000 1998 total; not counted separately.
Variety
1999 Wide AM
Philadelphia · Included in the 5,237,600,000 1999 total; not counted separately.
Key date
$4.80worn
$23.00MS-60
2000 Wide AM
Philadelphia · Included in the 5,503,200,000 2000 total; not counted separately.
Variety
40¢worn
$2.00MS-60

Related guides

Sources

PCGS, “The 1992 Close AM Lincoln Cents” (accessed 2026-10-05)
PCGS, “Varieties, Errors & More: The End of the One Cent Coin” (accessed 2026-09-26)
PCGS, “What Does “FG” on the Lincoln Memorial Cent Mean?” (accessed 2026-10-05)
PCGS, “1992-D 1C Close AM, RD (Regular Strike)” (accessed 2026-10-05)