1998 D Wide AM

Welcome aboard @AikoNavs As previously stated, over-magnification can man's you see too many insignificant issues. 5X - 10X is plenty. Good luck, and most importantly....have fun with it.

 

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Just use a 5X/10X magnifier, that's all you really need, especially for mintmarks. Best reference is go online and look for "grading coins". Most articles are no-nonsense and reliable. One tip, do not touch any of your coins on the obverse or reverse - just the ends, or wear cotton gloves. Happy hunting!

 

Actually, I prefer books over websites. I like Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide to Mint Errors"

It's really not so much a price guide, but it is loaded with pictures and explanations of how the errors are caused. I bought this book before I even started looking for errors. It also helps you to learn the correct terminology.

The Cherrypickers Guide is just an okay resource for varieties. It's a bit pricy because it is divided into two volumes, but its biggest drawback is that it doesn't list all known varieties. If it did, you would need a wheelbarrow to carry it around.

Since a coin, normal or error, is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, your best bet for guesstimating value is to check the completed listings on eBay.

Like all numismatic collectibles, condition is the single-most important aspect to consider. You may have found a scarce DDO, but if it has a serious case of "road rash" its not worth much more than an interesting conversation piece. So, the next book you might want to consider is one on grading, and I use the ANA Grading Standards.

Finally, almost everyone will tell you that one of your first purchases should be the Red Book. It is an annual publication by Whitman Books, although you don't have to buy one every year. It lists every coin that has ever been used or made in the US since colonial times. I don't recommend using their price guide, but it is an invaluable resource that every beginning collector should have.
I believe that the 2020 edition is already out. Personally, I prefer the spiral-bound edition for $19.95 because the spiral binding is covered, preventing it from getting snagged on something. I don't really care for the "Mega Red" because it is so thick that you can't hold the book open to a certain page, examine a coin with a loupe and work on your computer at the same time.

FWIW, there will be others, here, who will tell you that most of this stuff (with the exception of the Red Book) can be found on various websites. That's true, but I have all of this info on my desk right next to me, and I don't have to jump all over the internet to find it.

Chris

 

@AikoNavs The two best reference books you can get are the R.S. Yeoman Red Book and the Official Price Guide to Int Errors. Chris suggested these in his response. Forget YouTube and forget get rich quick with pocket change.

 

Yeah. Most a + m are touching. I can see your problem. Decieving but no cigar.

 

Sis, Even if its 3 gallon theres. Got be be something in them jugs. Take your time and find some treasure. You came close on the 98d

 

Thank you! I’ll definitely pick up a copy of those. And yes, I see what you mean about not using YouTube as a reference. I had started with that and realized that some info is just flat out wrong ie. rarity in 1988 WAM (no mention of serif on initials). Started getting excited when my first one was WAM then after the 3rd one in a row I thought “wait...a...minute” lol. That along with several others destroyed my faith in YouTube as a trustworthy reference. You’d think these guys would have something standard like that down by now. Anyway! Thanks again!

 

Don't feel bad, I found out the same way. This why I am glad I found these people here. They have taught me a lot. GOD BLESS

 

Ive been going through so many coins this past week that my eyes start crossing if I don’t take a break after too long lol...My apologies to everyone for not responding sooner. I’ve got several promising ones but am making sure I’ve got a decent knowledge of grading and am using the PCGS app to see if they’re even worth the hassle. I hate to think of how many coins in my lifetime that I either threw away or didn’t think twice if one accidentally got sucked up in the car wash vacuum! Definitely have a newfound appreciation & not just for the potential to make money but every aspect. Seems I’m growing too attached to sell some of these now.

 

You're welcome and have fun collecting.

 

Thanks for the info Chris! SUPER HELPFUL for a newbie as myself. With all the diff ref choices out there it’s good to cut out the trial on error & get straight to what’ll be most beneficial in the least amount of time & headache. I’m glad I ran across this group. Thanks again

 

Thanks for the welcome I got a digital microscope from amazon but it’s way too laggy to work with. Freezes every couple seconds and constantly goes out of focus. I’m gonna have to try something else. This one is way too frustrating when you have tons of coins to go through. Ill heed your advise regarding the magnification strength on the next one. It makes sense that the more it has to work, the more memory it will use thus why I’m having these probs. Thanks!

 

I just bought this dome led magnifier & I love it! I thought a phone app camera/magnifier would be best at first but the lighting kept making me see "errors" that weren't there, depending on the angle. I like this dome one, helps my eyes strain less. Then if I see something off I can take a pic later ❤️

 

Can say you learn quickly. Not all youtube is bad. But most is. Your on the right path sis. Enjoy the hunt. Cheech

 

Your so cute

 

That does look much easier to use! Think I’m gonna have to go that route as well for now. Then after I’m making my own YouTube vids I’ll get one of the really fancy ones! lol...jk YouTube’s got enough cointubers already & I get stage fright... Thanks for sharing!

 

Lol There’s nothing cute about the amount of dirt/grime/bacteria coming off these coins and layering on my fingers after the first 50 or so. My nitrile gloves finally have come in handy now though..By the way, I’ve been wondering If that type of glove will mess up the finish or is just not a good choice for coin handling. Anyone know?