The 1999-S Close AM Lincoln Penny is worth anywhere from $5 in Proof 60 condition to over $350 in flawless Deep Cameo grades. While most pennies from your pocket change are worth exactly one cent, this specific variety is a hidden treasure that collectors hunt for due to a rare production “mismatch” at the San Francisco Mint.

Grade/Condition	Estimated Value (USD)
PR 60 – PR 65 (Clean)	$5 – $15
PR 67 Deep Cameo	$25 – $40
PR 69 Deep Cameo	$60 – $120
PR 70 Deep Cameo (Perfect)	$350 – $600+

Why the 1999-S Close AM Penny is a Collector Favorite

For everyday Americans who enjoy checking their change, the 1999-S Close AM penny represents one of the most exciting modern “mules” in numismatics. If you’ve just discovered a shiny penny with an “S” mint mark, using a top coin identifier app can help you confirm the variety before you head to a coin shop. This coin is unique because it features a design that wasn’t supposed to be there.

In 1999, the San Francisco Mint produced proof coins for collectors. For a proof coin, the letters ‘A’ and ‘M’ in “AMERICA” on the reverse side should typically be spaced apart (Wide AM). However, a small number of these were struck using the “Close AM” die, which was actually intended for business-strike coins meant for circulation. This error created a rare sub-set of coins that collectors pay a premium for today. Using CoinKnow, you can easily scan your collection to see if any of your other modern pennies share similar rare features.

The appeal lies in the rarity. While there are plenty of 1999-S pennies in existence, only a fraction of them feature the Close AM design. Finding one in a proof set or a loose collection is like finding a needle in a haystack. Because they were minted in San Francisco for sets, they usually have a high “Proof” finish, making them much more visually striking than the brown pennies you find in your car’s cup holder.

How to Identify the 1999-S Close AM Design

Identifying this coin requires a magnifying glass or a high-quality smartphone camera. The primary area of interest is the word “AMERICA” on the reverse (back) side of the coin. On a standard 1999-S proof penny, the A and the M are clearly separated by a small gap. On the rare Close AM variety, the bases of the A and M are almost touching, or so close that there is virtually no light between them.

The second diagnostic is the designer’s initials, “FG,” located to the right of the Lincoln Memorial. On the Close AM variety, the initials “FG” are further away from the corner of the building compared to the Wide AM. Many collectors find it helpful to compare their coin to detailed price charts for 1999 Lincoln Cents to see how the rarity of the die affects the overall market value.

If you are unsure of what you are looking at, the CoinKnow app’s visual recognition technology can assist in distinguishing between these subtle die variations. It is important to remember that all 1999-S pennies will have the “S” mint mark below the date on the front (obverse). If your penny doesn’t have an “S,” it was minted in Philadelphia or Denver, where the rules for Close and Wide AM are different.

Comparative Value: Close AM vs. Wide AM Pennies

To understand the 1999-S Close AM value, you have to look at its counterparts. In 1999, the “Wide AM” was the intended design for proof coins. Because the Wide AM is the “normal” version for the San Francisco Mint that year, it is only worth a few dollars—essentially the value of the proof set it came from. The Close AM, being the error/variety, carries a significant markup.

Variety Type	Mint Mark	Typical Condition Value
1999-S Wide AM (Normal)	S (Proof)	$2 – $5
1999-S Close AM (Rare)	S (Proof)	$50 – $350+
1999 Wide AM (Rare)	None (Philadelphia)	$150 – $600

As the table shows, the minting location changes everything. While the “Close AM” is the rarity for the 1999-S proof, the “Wide AM” is actually the rare one for the standard 1999 Philadelphia penny! Keeping track of these inverse rules can be confusing, which is why checking current 1999 Lincoln Cent market trends is essential for any amateur treasure hunter.

Grading and the Impact of Deep Cameo (DCAM)

For proof coins like the 1999-S, the “grade” is more than just how shiny the coin is. Professional graders like PCGS and NGC look for “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) or “Ultra Cameo” (UCAM) effects. This refers to the contrast between the frosted, white-looking portrait of Lincoln and the mirror-like, dark background. A 1999-S Close AM Lincoln penny that has this high contrast will command a much higher price than one with a “brilliant” finish.

Condition is everything in coin collecting. A coin that has been handled with bare hands or has scratches (even tiny “hairlines” from cleaning) will lose value rapidly. Collectors are looking for “PR 69” or “PR 70.” A PR 70 is a perfect coin under 5x magnification. Because the 1999-S Close AM was minted for collectors, many survived in great shape, but only a handful achieve that perfect “70” score.

If you find a 1999-S penny in an old proof set box, do not take it out with your fingers! Hold it by the edges. If the AM letters are close together, you could be holding a coin worth hundreds of dollars. Before sending it to a grading service, which can be expensive, use CoinKnow to get an initial estimate of whether the coin is a high-grade candidate.

Why the Mint Made This Mistake

The “Close AM” variety is known as a “mule” die error. It happens when the Mint accidentally uses a die intended for one type of coin to strike another. In the late 1990s, the U.S. Mint began changing the spacing of the letters in “AMERICA” to better accommodate the machinery. The Close AM design was meant for standard circulation pennies (business strikes), while the Wide AM was preserved for proof coins to give them a more traditional look.

In 1998, 1999, and 2000, workers at the San Francisco Mint occasionally grabbed the wrong reverse die. These mistakes were caught eventually, but not before thousands (or perhaps just hundreds) of coins were struck. These “mismatched” coins were then packaged into the annually sold Proof Sets and mailed out to unsuspecting collectors across America.

This specific historical quirk is what makes the 1999-S Close AM Lincoln Penny value so stable. Unlike “doubled die” coins which can sometimes be subtle, the difference between a Close and Wide AM is a distinct design change. It is an “official” error that is recognized by all major coin guides and grading companies, ensuring there will always be a market for it.

Year/Mint	Variety To Look For	Rarity
1998-S	Close AM	Scarce
1999-S	Close AM	Very Rare
2000-S	Close AM	Scarce

Where to Sell Your 1999-S Close AM Penny

If you believe you have found this rare variety, your first step should be verification. Many people mistake the standard penny for the variety. Once you have confirmed the “S” mint mark and the “Close AM” spacing, you have several options for selling. Online auctions like eBay are popular for raw (unauthenticated) coins, but to get the highest prices, you really need the coin to be graded by PCGS or NGC.

Local coin shops are another option, though they will often offer you “wholesale” prices so they can make a profit upon resale. For a coin worth $100 or more, it is often better to reach out to specialized numismatic auction houses. They can place your coin in front of serious collectors who are specifically looking to complete their Lincoln Cent variety sets.

Always check the latest sold listings to see what people are actually paying. Looking at certified auction results for the 1999-S variety provides the most accurate picture of the current market. Remember, prices fluctuate based on collector demand, so a coin that sold for $200 last year might sell for $250 this year if more people start collecting the series.

FAQ

Q: Can I find the 1999-S Close AM penny in my pocket change?

A: It is very unlikely. “S” mint mark coins from 1999 were only issued in Proof Sets intended for collectors. While someone may have spent a proof set, these coins are much shinier than regular pennies and are usually found in collections rather than circulation.

Q: How many 1999-S Close AM pennies exist?

A: The exact mintage is unknown, but they are significantly rarer than the standard variety. Some estimates suggest only a few thousand exist in all grades, compared to millions of the standard versions.

Q: Is there a 1999-S Wide AM penny?

A: Yes, the “Wide AM” is the standard design for the 1999-S Proof penny. These are common and generally worth only $1 to $5 depending on the condition.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1999-S Close AM?

A: Perfect PR 70 Deep Cameo specimens have sold at auction for over $2,000 in the past, though prices today typically range between $300 and $600 for high-grade examples. Check the latest 1999 Lincoln Cent price guides for the most recent sales.

Q: Does the color of the penny affect the price?

A: For proof coins, the color is usually “Red” (RD) because they are kept in protected cases. If a proof penny has turned “Brown” (BN) or “Red-Brown” (RB) due to air exposure, its value will drop significantly.