1998 D Wide AM

Hello all- I’m very new to the coin world so I’m hoping this question isn’t going to irritate anyone.
After doing a little research, I’m under the impression that a 1998-D wide AM has not been found so I find it hard to believe that this is one but after looking at several close & wide coins as reference, this looks wide to me. It’s not in the greatest condition so it could be just worn in that area making it appear to be wide. Can anyone confirm this?

 

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Welcome. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your coin is normal. For it to be a Wide AM, the space between the AM and ME should be almost identical. Yours is not.
Here is a picture of my 1999 Wide AM that shows what I'm talking about:

 

Ahh, I see what you mean. I’ll know what to look for now...Thanks so much for clarifying that.

 

Welcome to the neighborhood, Aiko!

If you're going to search for WAM's & CLAM's ...that's Close AM's...you should save the page below in your favorites. Be sure to take note of the images for the Designer's Initials (FG).
http://www.lincolncentresource.com/wideams.html

Chris

 

Close AM, u ain't the only one that's new to this. So keep at it, will learn how to spot coin errors and varieties. Happy hunting

 

Diagnostics for a Close AM include the M in AMERICA closer to the A than the E, the A in STATES closer to the right T than the left T, and the FG away from the Memorial. The NE in ONE on the west side vertical bar will have flared corners for the close.



Diagnostics for a Wide AM include the M in AMERICA being midway between the A and the E, the A in STATES being midway between the 2 Ts, and the FG close to the Memorial. The NE in ONE on the west side vertical bar will not have flared corners (to the same degree as those on the Close AM).



The appearance of how close the A is to the M varies as a function of die abrading and die deterioration. Therefore, confirmation of the attribution needs to be factored through the other two features. The distance between the A and the M is the least reliable diagnostic for WAM or CAM

Here is a photo example by Ken Potter showing how spacing between letters may vary as a result of abrading.

 

1998 WAM. I don't think you will find a 1998D WAM, I've looked for years and never found one and I'd think it would have turned up by now if it existed.

 

I have found a few of them like that and you have to make sure the gap is the same as the other gaps.

 

That's it! I'm changing my avatar!!

 

LOL

 

Beauty's only skin deep, yeah, yeah, yeah! ~ The Temptations, 1964

Chris

 

Me too! Maybe newbies will stop calling me arrogant!

 

Mr. P., she was even smarter than *i2i*.

R.I.P.!

Chris

 

Lol I like this group! Thank you everyone for all the info. EXTREMELY helpful...I’ve just started learning about coins a couple days ago and now I’m hooked! I’ve got 3-5 gallon water bottles FULL of coins that I inherited when my grandmother passed away. They’ve been in the attic for over 10 yrs until I ran across an article about valuable modern day coins. I made the best list a noob like me could however Im finding there’s many more I’m not aware of yet as after adding to the list constantly & starting all over again. I’ve got a sorting system going now so it won’t be as daunting. I also realized pretty quickly the need for a microscope so got one ordered on Amazon. Even if I don’t find anything, it’s been a lot of fun looking! I Hope to bring y’all something good soon! Thanks again!

 

Welcome aboard. Glad you took an interest in coins, lot to learn but you came to th right group. these guys will help you out. Research goes a long way.

 

Welcome to CT. We do have a strange humor from time to time but staring at coins for long periods of time have that affect. Glad you have developed an interest in coins. Sorry to hear about your loss. A word of advice, avoid UTube, it's full of misinformation.

 

A few things you should keep in mind:
1) Finding a valuable coin in circulation is like hitting the Powerball two times in a row.
2) Don't believe half of what you read on BoobTube.
3) Don't believe the other half as well.
4) If you have a copy of "Strike It Rich With Pocket Change", use the pages for wobbly tables and chairs.
5)Most of the anomalies you may find with a USB microscope usually turn out to be gnat doo-doo.

Chris

 

Lmao ok u got me.

 

I was actually just thinking about purchasing “Strike It Rich”, do you have any other suggestions on what would be best for solid reference purposes?

 

Translation - YouTube