1998-P Wide AM Error Coin is a fascinating U.S. penny variety featuring a doubled or widened “AM” in “AMERICA” on the reverse 🇺🇸. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint 🏭, this error occurred due to die doubling or die damage 🔍. Such minting quirks make it a popular target for error coin collectors and enthusiasts 💎🔧. Adds an intriguing twist to the typical 1998 penny collection 🧩✨.
The image you’ve provided shows a standard 1998 Lincoln Cent, which is a common United States penny. The caption you’ve provided, however, describes a 1998-P Wide AM Error Coin. This specific error occurs on the reverse side of the coin, where the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are visibly separated, or “wide.” Since the error is on the reverse and the image provided is of the obverse (the side with Lincoln’s portrait), I can’t confirm if your coin has this error.
The 1998 Wide AM variety is a popular find among collectors because it’s a known minting error. It’s important to know that most 1998 pennies have a “Close AM,” where the letters “A” and “M” are very close together, almost touching. The Wide AM variety is much scarcer and more valuable.
Understanding the 1998 Wide AM Error
The “AM” error refers to the spacing between the letters A and M in the word AMERICA on the reverse side of the coin, just above the Lincoln Memorial. On a standard 1998 penny, the “A” and “M” are close together. On the rare Wide AM variety, the letters are noticeably separated. This error is believed to have happened because a proof die, which had the Wide AM spacing, was accidentally used to strike a small number of business-strike coins.
The key to identifying a Wide AM error is to examine the reverse side of the coin carefully. You would need a magnifying glass to check the spacing between the letters. In addition to the Wide AM, some of these error coins may also show other distinguishing features like different lettering styles. Because the image provided is of the obverse, it’s impossible to tell if your coin is a Wide AM variety.
Verifying Your Coin’s Value
If you believe your coin is a 1998 Wide AM variety, you’d need to flip it over to check the reverse. You would then compare the spacing of the “AM” to a known example of the Wide AM error. Collectors also look at the position of the mint mark and the lettering on the coin.
Should you confirm that your coin is indeed the 1998 Wide AM error, its value would be significantly higher than a standard 1998 penny. Its value depends on its condition (e.g., how worn it is, if it has scratches or marks), but even in a circulated state, it would be worth more than its face value. These error coins are a fun part of numismatics (the study of currency) because they represent a rare slip-up in the minting process that was caught and corrected.
The coin in the photo, the 1998 Lincoln Cent, is a copper-plated zinc coin. The design on the obverse, created by Victor David Brenner, features the familiar profile of Abraham Lincoln. It also has the inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY, along with the year 1998. If this coin is a Wide AM error, its rarity and value come entirely from the reverse-side minting mistake.
