Die variety
1992 close AM penny: how to check yours and what it's worth
Look at the back of a 1992 penny: if the A and M in AMERICA almost touch, you may have the rare 1992 close AM variety. PCGS has certified fewer than 20 from Philadelphia and about 75 from Denver, and top examples have sold for $14,100 (1992-D, MS65 red) and $25,850 (1992, MS67 red). A normal 1992 cent, with a visible gap between the A and M, is worth face value.
Why the 1992 close AM exists
The Mint changed the reverse of the Lincoln cent for 1993, moving the A and M in AMERICA closer together. A few 1992 cents were struck with the new reverse ahead of time. Normal 1992 cents have the older "wide AM" reverse.
How to check yours
- Turn the coin over and find AMERICA along the top.
- Look at the bottoms of the A and the M under a loupe or your phone's magnifier. On the close AM they nearly touch. On the normal wide AM there is a clear gap.
- Compare with any 1993 or later cent with the Memorial reverse (1993 to 2008). That spacing is what a close AM looks like.
- If yours matches, have it authenticated. At these values, buyers expect a PCGS or NGC holder.
Why most "close AM" listings are wrong
| Listed as 1992 close AM | Listings | Median ask | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw (not graded) | 111 | $700 | $300 to $1,500 |
| Graded (PCGS, NGC, ANACS, ICG) | 7 | $2,000 | $993 to $3,210 |
Active fixed-price eBay listings in US Coins, titles matched to this coin, lots and replicas removed, checked November 11, 2026. These are asking prices, not sales, and many listings are hopeful or mislabeled.
On November 11, 2026, 118 eBay listings claimed a 1992 close AM, with 48 asking $1,000 or more, and only 7 were in grading-company holders. Fewer than 100 genuine examples have been certified in total, so most raw listings are normal coins with hopeful titles. Value comes from authentication, not the listing title.
Questions
How much is a 1992 close AM penny worth?
Authenticated examples have sold for four figures and up, with records of $14,100 for a 1992-D in MS65 red and $25,850 for a 1992 in MS67 red. A normal 1992 cent is worth one cent.
How do I know if my 1992 penny is close AM?
On the reverse, the bottoms of the A and M in AMERICA almost touch on a close AM. A normal 1992 has a visible gap between them.
Are 1992 D close AM pennies real?
Yes. The 1992-D close AM is the more often found of the two, with about 75 certified by PCGS, but it is still rare and valuable.