Rare Pennies: In the world of coin collecting, that delightful place where money changes from spending power into objects with historical importance and sometimes unexpected value, some years yield coins that would later become hotly desired.
Among them, 1999 pennies have been garnering some serious attention, with multiple varieties attracting a premium that would astonish the average Joe who casually throws these copper-colored slugs into jars and drawers without so much as a second thought.
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Rare Pennies: The 1999 Penny in Transitional Context
In order to understand why some 1999 pennies are more special than others, we need to look at the past first. The latter years of the 1990s were a time of transition for U.S. coin production, the U.S. Mint was converting its production processes and struggling with some QC issues at its facilities.
The environment in these conditions were particularly conducive to the occurrence of precious anomalies.
The 1999 Lincoln Penny was minted in 1999. But beyond this deceivingly pedestrian look are a couple of differences that have collectors and their wallets opening up.
The Wide AM Reverse Variety
One of the more well known 1999 penny error is the fact that it is a wide or close AM reverse. The letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are spaced closely together on normal pennies from this era, giving them what coin collectors term the “Close AM” variety.
But some 1999 pennies were made with the same “Wide AM” spacing previously used on proof coins (not intended to be used in general circulation, but struck for collectors).
This rather subtle difference is an important die variety that should never have happened during production of normal cold pennies.
According to experts, dies destined to strike proof coins found their way into the regular business strikes and resulted in a variety that was not supposed to exist, but has since become a highly-prized member of the Morgan dollars series.
The Wide AM pennies were produced only at the Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark) which is the scarcest of the variations. In uncirculated condition, they have fetched up to a few hundred dollars and mint-fresh pieces are worth even more in specialized auctions.
The Evasive 1999 Double Die Obverse Its legend, true or false?
Rare Pennies: Double daikee Effect One of the most highly regarded penny errors has to do with multiple dies—specifically, in the way the die was produced and how it struck the planchet.
The 1999 set has pennies with readily apparent doubling visible on Lincoln’s ear, bowtie, and the lettering at the outer edge.
These bilateral die varieties result from errors on the part of die-makers. With the right provenance these doubling mistakes can turn a common penny coin into a collectible worth far more than its face value.
The strongest doubled dies from 1999 have sold in the extensive hundreds of dollars, especially in mint-state.
The Importance of Mint Marks
Pennies were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and the Denver Mint in 1999, with the latter type showing a little “D” below the date and the former type having no mintmark.
Each branch made particular varieties and what it means for collectors in the investment grade numismatic market.
Wide AM pennies struck in Denver, though both scarce and collectible, are usually worth less than their Philadelphia equivalent largely based on relative rarity.
Nonetheless, especially choice Denver specimens with little actual wear are bringing substantial sums in the sale room at specialized coin auctions and in dealer to dealer transactions.
Condition Considerations
Rare Pennies- Like all collectible coins, value is heavily influenced by condition. Numismatists use the scale Poor (coin exhibiting heavy wear) to Mint State (an uncirculated coin exhibiting no wear).
When dealing with 1999 penny varieties, this grading is especially important, since the minute variances that help identify these valuable changes can be lost beneath the circulation wear.
The finest pieces exhibit mint frost that is original while showing no circulation or just a modicum of contact for handling.
Investment-minded collectors will generally look for examples that have been graded by professional third-party grading companies, which verify the variety and also opine on condition based on industry-accepted grading standards.
Hunting for Hidden Treasure
The excitement over finding valuable 1999 pennies in pocket change has motivated many folks to take a closer look at their pocket change.
Although the odds of finding top examples wane every year, they still come at a surprisingly regular pace.
In the past, coin roll hunting, which is the process of going through bankwrapped rolls of coins in search of something good, has produced some major scores for those who put in the time.
It is a test that must be under good quality light and preferably under a magnifying glass to identify the variations in spacing of letters and possible doubling.
Special attention should be given to the “AM” in “AMERICA,” as well as careful scrutiny of Lincoln’s portrait for any evidence of doubling.
Beyond Monetary Value
Rare Pennies- Opportunity for riches does motivate many searchers, of course, but there is also intensely historical research beyond the need for money.
These are socks that are about as close we can get as “proof” that the coins were actually minted and that the process can sometimes be a little off.
They put us in touch with the mechanical underpinnings of coinage and the era of American coinage which generated these curiosities.
Preservation Considerations
However, for the lucky few that come across 1999 penny varieties of value, care in handling is important. It is better to hold coins by the edges, so oil and grime from your skin do not transfer onto the coin.
Non-PVC holder Storage Receive protection, and be able to view the coin in a non-PVC holder for when you want to look at the coin.
Rare Pennies:
The lowly 1999 penny — you know, that stuffy, out-of-date coin taking up space in your change jar or jammed in between a couple of canines during an emergency transaction at the grocery store — could conceivably be a goldmine.
Admittedly, not every ’99 cent is destined to finance a holiday in the lap of luxury – but the prospect that a three-figure value coin can be lurking among a pocketful of loose change is both exciting and a good enough reason to give our small change a closer look.
In this electronic, paperless era, in which cash is becoming an increasingly rare commodity, these discarded metallic gems teach us that sometimes, value lies unclaimed in the most mundane of things, if only the open eyes are willing to see.
Maybe it’s worth it to spend a few minutes looking at those pennies before you throw them in the change jar — you might be richer than you thought.
