2000 (P) Lincoln Memorial Cent - Wide AM Reverse TRN 001

Description

Cross-referenced as PCGS certification number 147831 and Cherrypickers FS-901, the 2000 (P) Wide AM Lincoln Memorial Cent is one of the most famous and valuable modern U.S. coin varieties. While classified under "transitional reverse design," this variety was actually created by the use of a proof reverse die to strike business-strike coins — making it technically a wrong-die-type variety rather than a true transitional, though it fits the transitional theme because the Wide AM spacing was the standard reverse die design used prior to 1992. The critical diagnostic feature is the spacing between the A and M in AMERICA on the reverse: the "Wide AM" shows a clear gap between these two letters, while the normal 1998-2008 business strike reverse (the "Close AM") has the letters nearly touching. This wide spacing resulted from using a die intended for proof production, where the older Wide AM reverse hub was still employed, to strike regular circulation coins — a Mint error in die selection that produced a small number of business strikes with the wrong reverse design. The Lincoln Memorial Cent was designed by Victor David Brenner for the obverse and Frank Gasparro for the reverse, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) weighing 2.50 grams with a 19.05 mm diameter. The 2000 Wide AM, along with its 1998 and 1999 Wide AM counterparts, commands significant premiums in all grades because the total number of surviving examples is believed to be quite small relative to the billions of normal Close AM cents produced during these years. The FS-901 Cherrypickers designation has made this variety widely known among cherrypickers and roll searchers, driving sustained collecting interest.

Attribution History

• 147831; FS-901