1998-S & 1999-S "Close AM"
 "Business Strike - Circulation Style"
Lincoln Cent Reverse!*

  We offer the 1998-S & 1999-S Proof cents that was recently reported on the front page of Coin World and Numismatic News.  This is the variety with the business strike style reverse with the "Close AM" of AMERICA where they are almost attached.  So far reports on this variety on the 1998-S indicates that it is very rare while the 1999-S are very few and far between and must be rated as very scarce to rare.

1998-S 
PCGS PR69RD DCAM a real blazer with flawless fields and devices!
Sold

1999-S
ANACS PR-64 DCAM $65   ~~  ANACS PR-66 DCAM $75
ANACS PR-67 DCAM $85 ~~ ANACS PR-68 DCAM $95

*Please note: The latest Cherrypickers' Guide To Rare Die Varieties includes and entry for a 2000-S Close AM Proof.  This coin does not exist (or at least one has not been discovered yet).  The entry into CPG was a typo.

Diagnostics of the Close AM & Wide AM varieties

Copyright Ken Potter 2005
Close AM Business Strike Style Reverse

On the regular business strike style reverse the letters AM of AMERICA are close together and virtually touching (which actually creates a wide space between the M and E of AMERICA) and the designer's initials, FG, at the right side of the base of the Memorial Building are spaced well away from the building. This style also features the three rectangular posts on the three lowest steps (at either end) much larger than on the proof style reverse.  This is the one that is very scarce to rare on the 1998-S and 1999-S proof cents.

 
Copyright Ken Potter 2005
Wide AM Proof Style Reverse

On the proof style reverse the letters AM of AMERICA are spaced significantly further apart than on the the business strike circulation style (the M is actually perfectly centered between the A & E) and the designer's initials, FG, are close to the base of the Memorial Building.  This style also features the three rectangular posts on the three lowest steps (at either end) much smaller than on the business strike style reverse.  This is the common style found on the 1998-S and 1999-S proof cents.

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