Looking at all the examples, and comparing it to the many other 2000's I have, I'm pretty sure this is a Wide AM Lincoln. My scanner leaves the coin looking dull. It's actually a very nice coin. Also, the rainbow colors that show up on the reverse are not actually on the coin. I know this isn't the most rare, but if it's the 2000 wide am...it's a pretty cool find. Soooo is it?
I am not familiar with this website and certainly am not recommending, but take a look at the photos... http://www.lincolncentcollection.com/closeamwideam.html Notice the spacing between the M and E on the two types as well as the DI position. That said, while I do wish you had a less pixelated photo, let's just say it certainly looks promising...
Thank you very much, the link and the photos helped a lot! I took two pictures using my cell and magnifier. I tried to get two angles with the AM and E, and the initials.
I understand that it's not always easy, but when photographing a coin, it's best to do so with the camera at a right angle to the coin's surface, especially in cases like this where perspective is important. The further I get away from having any involvement in this hobby (aside from here), the less confident in my abilities I've become. Add this to the fact my vision isn't what it once was and I really hesitate to say one way or the other. Perhaps it would be best to wait on someone else. If memory serves me, I believe @tommyc03 is quite familiar with these and can likely give you a definitive answer.
Thank you booksB4coins. I need to work with my scanner settings so that I can get better examples. It's difficult taking picture with my camera and my jewelers loop. I'm thinking that I need to get a great big magnifier so I can get better photos. Thank you sincerely for taking a look and for the examples.
Set your coin on table. Place a book close by. Use a rubber band to secure loop to your phone. Place phone on book. Experiment with thickness of book. This will help greatly. Try this. Get a good pic of the am and the fg.
Hi steve.e, Thank you for the tip with the phone and rubber band, I hope this picture is more clear. I tried to take one closer to a lamp, but the light was too reflective.
One of the best ways to tell, besides the distance between the A and M, is the designers initials at the bottom right of the memorial. The Close AM will not have the serifs on the G. The wide AM will have the serifs and will be closer to the memorial. It's hard to tell for sure, but your original pictures show what looks like the initials with the serifs on the G and closer to the memorial. If this is true, then I would say that this is a Wide AM variety. If you can get a closeup photo of the initials, that would help. The 1998 and 2000 are more common and do not demand much of a premium. The 1999 is more rare. Here is another website for information and pictures to compare. http://doubleddie.com/58348.html
@bettann Still kind of tough to tell by your photos. The first set almost looks like a no answer. There will still be a small gap at the AM on the normal variety but not nearly as wide as the real deal. Maybe this photo might help you decide. Otherwise it's as dchjr said about the designers initials.
Thank you, I ordered a 40x magnifier that can be used for pictures with my cell. I'll post a better image when it arrives. I'm finding other interesting coins. Mostly out of coins that I placed in a "could be," coffee can years ago, so I'm sure I'll have others that would need good, clear photographs.
I agree it is a WAM. On the OP's 1st post you can see a gap between the A and M, but you can also see the A in states is centered between the T's. This makes it a WAM. This photo shows the difference in the placement of the A in states. Top photos is of a 2000P CAM Bottom is of a 2000P WAM.
I was not even aware to check the "A" in States for further verification. Does this go for all of the years with the Wide/close Am's?
I believe so. If I understand it correctly the WAM reverses are only supposed to be on proofs of these years. Somehow quite a few business strikes got minted in Philly with the proof reverse, causing the WAM errors of the 1998P-2000P LMCs.
