1999 Penny Values + How To Identify Rare 1999 Pennies (Including The 1999 Wide AM & 1999 Close AM Penny Errors!)

Did you know there’s a 1999 penny worth $300 or more?

It’s true. If you know which 1999 pennies to look for, you may find a 1999 penny error — with enough searching (and a little luck).

Read on to see what makes some 1999 pennies so valuable and how to find the rare 1999 penny in your pocket change.

The Rare 1999 Wide AM Penny Error

The rare penny I’m talking about is the 1999 Wide AM penny.

1999 Wide AM pennies were accidentally made when reverse proof coin dies — which were designed to strike the “tail’s side” (reverse) of special collector Lincoln pennies — were used to strike 1999 Lincoln pennies intended for circulation.

You can tell a 1999 Wide AM penny from an ordinary 1999 penny by looking at the letters “A” and “M” in the word “AMERICA” on the reverse of the coin.

You’ll notice a significant gap between the bottoms of the “A” and “M” on the 1999 Wide AM penny. (On ordinary 1999 pennies, the bottom of the letters “A” and “M” appear to nearly touch one another.)

This video shows exactly what a 1999 Wide AM penny looks like:

During this period of time, there were 3 different Lincoln cents made with a Wide AM reverse proof die:

• 1999 Wide AM penny (discussed below)
• 1998 Wide AM penny
• 2000 Wide AM penny

Of these, the 1999 Wide AM penny is by far the scarcest!

Here’s how much a 1999 Wide AM penny is worth:

• Even the most well-worn examples of the 1999 Wide AM penny are worth around $100.
• Most 1999 Wide AM pennies have a value of $150 to $300.
• The record auction price paid for a 1999 Wide AM penny is $2,300.

The Rare 1999-S Close AM Proof Penny Error

The 1999-S Close AM Lincoln penny is a highly sought-after error variety valued by coin collectors.

Normally, proof coins struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1999 were produced using a specialized proof die that featured a “Wide AM” in the word “AMERICA” on the reverse.

However, a very small number of 1999-S proof pennies were accidentally struck using a standard business-strike reverse die — causing the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” to sit extremely close together or touch.

Here’s how much a 1999-S Close AM penny is worth:

• A 1999-S Close AM proof penny is worth around $75 in typical proof condition.
• The most valuable 1999 Close AM proof penny was graded Proof-69 Deep Cameo by Professional Coin Grading Service and sold for $552 in 2023.

The Value Of Other 1999 Pennies

You may not have a 1999 Wide AM penny or a 1999 Close AM penny, but you’re probably still curious what your “regular” 1999 penny is worth.

If your 1999 penny is worn, it’s worth face value — or 1 cent.

However, 1999 pennies that are uncirculated (“mint condition” or “Mint State“) are worth more!

Here’s how much uncirculated and proof 1999 pennies are worth:

• 1999 penny with no mintmark (Philadelphia): 5,237,600,000 minted — 10 to 25+ cents
• 1999-D penny (Denver): 6,360,065,000 minted — 10 to 25+ cents
• 1999-S penny (San Francisco): 3,347,966 minted — $3+

Do you have a 1999 penny? Think there may be something unique about it? Post a picture of your coin in the comments below and I’ll try to help!

READ NEXT: A List Of The Most Valuable U.S. Pennies