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I have been hand sorting pennies for several years.

After reading some of your posts regarding some cool and valuable mint miscues/abnormalities, I have begun sorting for these.

The problem is, I don't know what I am looking for!

Does anyone out there know of a website that has pictures of these differences so I can compare my stash?

ie.... what exactly does a WAM look like?

Start with the sticky at the top of this forum:

http://realcent.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5109

Lincoln Cent Resource is invaluable, link to the WAM page is below:

http://www.lincolncentresource.com/wideams.html

OtusLotus wrote:I have been hand sorting pennies for several years.

After reading some of your posts regarding some cool and valuable mint miscues/abnormalities, I have begun sorting for these.

The problem is, I don't know what I am looking for!

Does anyone out there know of a website that has pictures of these differences so I can compare my stash?

ie.... what exactly does a WAM look like?

WAMS are easy....find any 1992 or 1992D cent. Look at that wide space between the "A" and the "M". After a little that space just grows and grows. That big open space...no legs from the letter can touch. The 1999 is the rarest, followed be the 1998, and then the 2000. Only Philly mints. To get started, I'd use a jeweler's loupe until your eyes KNOW what they are seeing. After a few finds or just practicing with 1992's, you won't need the loupe anymore. The secondary marker for WAMS is the "FG" initials. On WAMs they are closer to the memorial. A loupe helps here too. But my experience says when you get that huge 1992 gap on a 98,99,or 2000....you know you got yourself a WAM!

TheJonasCollegeFund wrote:

OtusLotus wrote:I have been hand sorting pennies for several years.

After reading some of your posts regarding some cool and valuable mint miscues/abnormalities, I have begun sorting for these.

The problem is, I don't know what I am looking for!

Does anyone out there know of a website that has pictures of these differences so I can compare my stash?

ie.... what exactly does a WAM look like?

WAMS are easy....find any 1992 or 1992D cent. Look at that wide space between the "A" and the "M". After a little that space just grows and grows. That big open space...no legs from the letter can touch. The 1999 is the rarest, followed be the 1998, and then the 2000. Only Philly mints. To get started, I'd use a jeweler's loupe until your eyes KNOW what they are seeing. After a few finds or just practicing with 1992's, you won't need the loupe anymore. The secondary marker for WAMS is the "FG" initials. On WAMs they are closer to the memorial. A loupe helps here too. But my experience says when you get that huge 1992 gap on a 98,99,or 2000....you know you got yourself a WAM!

This is an old thread but the info is very Nice to know!!
Guess I will have to get my grandson into doing this while he is sorting for copper. His eyes are much better than mine!!