1998 Lincoln Wide AM?

[Rick Sapp]

Hey folks,
I was searching through some Lincoln rolls tonight and found this 1998 cent with what could be a Wide AM, but I'm not sure. Most Close AMs show letters that look to actually or nearly touch each other. PCGS shows the M more evenly spaced between teh A and E. This example shows they are close, but not touching. I took a picture of two 1998s, one nearly touching (left) and the coin in question (right). I would like to get the group's opinion.

Thanks
Rick

[279773]

Tell me more about the obverse relief, also some reverse photos of the coin. With a clear obverse and reverse photo. Like a good chef does, if he dont get it right he starts over

[Jay07]

Some excellent help can be found in The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents - SECOND EDITION:

Between 1959 and 2008 the Reverse hub design changed several times. 3 Pick up points (FG, EPU and AM) are all noted in ARLC pages 39-45 along with the Seven Reverse Designs. In addition the 1998, 1999 and 2000 are discussed on page 46. And the Transitional Design Varieties are discussed on page 47.

I highly recommend it.

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

[onecent1909]

This is a close am cent... in a WAM the M should be centered between the A and the E..... There are a few spots to look at. all WAMs will show the same things. get a 1990 cent (always a WAM cent) and a 1994 cent (always a CAM cent).... examine these two cents and my picture. look at TAT of STATES, the AME of AMERICA, the shape of the FG and the distance from the memorial of the FG.

[onecent1909]

The slight gap comes from the die being polished.

[Rick Sapp]

Thanks for the responses folks. The images onecent1909 posted confirms it is a Close AM. My penny has the same TAT and FG as the Close AM in the images.

Rick