$1.5 Million 1998 Wide AM Penny
🚨 Can a 1998 Penny Really Be Worth $1.5 Million?
It sounds unbelievable… but one rare 1998 Lincoln cent reportedly sold for $1.5 million, stunning even experienced collectors.
What makes this story even more exciting?
Some experts believe examples could still be hiding in everyday pocket change.
Let’s break this down clearly and step by step so you know exactly what to look for. 👇
🪙 Step 1: Understand What the “Wide AM” Penny Is
The coin in question is the 1998 “Wide AM” Lincoln Cent — considered one of the rarest modern U.S. mint varieties ever discovered.
This variety is not a different design. It’s the result of a die mix-up at the U.S. Mint.
🏭 Step 2: Why Is This Penny So Valuable?
The value comes from a significant minting mistake:
- A proof reverse die was accidentally paired with a regular circulation strike.
- This die was never intended for business-strike coins.
- Only three confirmed specimens are known worldwide.
One example, graded MS-67 Red (RD) by Professional Coin Grading Service, reportedly sold for $1,500,000 in 2023, solidifying its reputation as a modern rarity.
That sale turned a one-cent coin into a seven-figure headline.
🔎 Step 3: How to Identify the $1.5M Wide AM Penny
Here’s how to check your coin properly:
✅ Check the Reverse (Back of the Coin)
Look at the word AMERICA.
- ✔️ On the rare version, the letters “A” and “M” have a clear gap between them.
- ❌ On normal coins, the letters touch or nearly touch.
This spacing difference is the most important indicator.
✅ Examine the “FG” Initials
Near the Lincoln Memorial, you’ll see the designer’s initials “FG.”
- On authentic Wide AM coins, the initials appear sharper and slightly positioned differently than standard strikes.
✅ Confirm the Mint
- Date must be 1998
- Mint must be Philadelphia
- ❌ There should be no mint mark under the date
📋 Quick Identification Checklist
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Date | 1998 |
| Mint | Philadelphia (No mint mark) |
| Reverse | Wide gap between “A” and “M” |
| Weight | 2.5 grams |
| Color | Bright Red (RD) commands highest value |
⚠️ Step 4: Avoid Common Look-Alikes
Not every “Wide AM” coin is rare.
🚫 Coins that are NOT valuable:
- 1999–2008 Wide AM cents (common varieties)
- 1998 Close AM pennies
- Cleaned, polished, scratched, or damaged coins
Condition and authentication determine everything in high-end numismatics.
💎 2024 Estimated Value Guide
| Condition | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated | $50,000 – $250,000 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | $300,000 – $750,000 |
| Superb Gem (MS-67+ RD) | $1,000,000 – $1,500,000 |
⚠️ Even light cleaning or hairline scratches can reduce value dramatically.
🧤 Step 5: What To Do If You Think You Found One
If your coin matches the Wide AM diagnostics:
- Handle it only by the edges (cotton gloves preferred).
- Take clear, high-resolution photos of obverse, reverse, and edge.
- Submit it for authentication to:
- Professional Coin Grading Service
- Numismatic Guaranty Company
- Insure the coin for its potential value before shipping.
Counterfeits and altered coins are increasingly common in today’s market.
🏆 Why Collectors Call It the Modern Lincoln “Crown Jewel”
- ✔️ One of the highest-priced modern Lincoln cents ever reported
- ✔️ Only three confirmed examples
- ✔️ A dramatic mint error story
- ✔️ Proof that valuable coins still surface in circulation
For many collectors, this variety represents the ultimate modern treasure hunt.
🔍 The Final Discovery: Could One Be in Your Change?
Every day, billions of pennies pass through circulation unnoticed.
Most are worth exactly one cent.
But history shows that extraordinary mistakes sometimes slip through the system.
Before you spend your next 1998 penny, take 30 seconds and check the spacing in AMERICA.
It might be the most valuable second of your life. 💰
🎥 See the Legendary Coin Up Close
Want to examine detailed visuals and auction footage of this extraordinary cent?
Watch the full breakdown in the video below.
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