Buyer Beware | Yikes, 1999 Wide AM

[cimperialis]

Here's a coin that's obviously NOT a wide AM. I can't believe someone would be willing to blindly pay $34 for something they obviously haven't even looked up themselves.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-P-Wide-A-M-Lincoln-Penny-w-Comparison-Coin-/290891230830?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item43ba77ee6e

[simonm]

To the completely new beginner who has never seen a Wide AM before, I could see how they may think that this one is a wide AM. Still, it's sad that they didn't do sufficient research to find out that their coin is worthless.

[cimperialis]

To the completely new beginner who has never seen a Wide AM before, I could see how they may think that this one is a wide AM. Still, it's sad that they didn't do sufficient research to find out that their coin is worthless.

But that's just it. Why would anyone dive into a purchase without having read anything about the coin other than what the seller is telling them? Yes, it's not a night/day difference to untrained eyes, but if you're investing that much money into it, I would think you would learn.

[simonm]

But that's just it. Why would anyone dive into a purchase without having read anything about the coin other than what the seller is telling them? Yes, it's not a night/day difference to untrained eyes, but if you're investing that much money into it, I would think you would learn.

Perhaps people are just too lazy to take the time and research what they are purchasing, or they DO research it and don't realize that close doesn't count. In either case, I feel that pretty much any person that purchases a coin without doing research on it first deserves wasting their money if the coin turns out to not be legit.

[GrumpyEd]

I wonder every time I see an ebay item like that selling.
The buyer was thinking "I must have one of those" but never looked it up?
It makes no sense.

I've seen some NGC slabbed 1992 cents that note "wide AM" on the slab. On ebay the sellers say "1992 wide AM" and sometimes they went for big prices. I can only guess people had seen that 98-99-00 wide AMs were special and assumed a 1992 WAM is the same deal.

[papascoins]

So I was thinkin', does anyone here have a nice photo of 'wide AM' and 'close AM' for our novice fellow readers. I don't think I personally have one to post.

[cimperialis]

If you type any date 1998-2000 and "wide" into the search box, you'll get lots of threads of wide ams. Here's one of the first for "1999 wide."

http://lincolncentresource.net/forums/showthread.php?t=27123

Also, you can Google "wide am."

Also, we have a nice section on LCR- http://www.lincolncentresource.com/wideams.html

There are dozens of ways for buyers to look it up if they want.

[GrumpyEd]

Here's one I took a while back that shows the AM and FG locations:

[jcuve]

[Amadauss]

Like all have said, not examining and asking is the fault here. I took a look at that coin and I can see where you might think it is a wide if a novice. Most of those 3 years are touching at the bottom but this one does have a little break so thus the thought it could be a Wide. The seller is rated at 100 percent positive so that can explain the amount and purchase. I went to look at what he has sold and did have a question on one of his recent sales. He sold 3 1943 steel cents and being a semi-Novice, could someone take a look and explain why one of the coins looks almost copper. Thinking just wear but most of my 1943's that are worn are not that color. Wanted to confirm. Here is the link. thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1943-P-D-S-Lincoln-Wheat-Pennies-3-coins/300884672514?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=020&category=139803&cmd=ViewItem#ht_25wt_1129

[willbrooks]

Ok, I took one for the team and contacted him. I know I am going to regret it, though.

[jallengomez]

That's the way to bend over for the team Will. Let us know if it was good for you.

[cimperialis]

Reply from the seller to me-

"Thank-you for the heads up. I will be checking into these"other" differences. I will sell this coin as a Wide A M and refund their money if they are not satisfied. I try to be honest and sell coins at a fair cost. It is never been my intention to mislead anyone or take advantage of the less knowledgeable buyer. That may actually apply to me in this case. ...copperteyes"

Thanks Will for sticking your neck out too. Maybe we can get this guy to take down his auction. He claims to be honest, and yet he is lying through his teeth.

[chzman]

We should report him, I was one of the lucky ones to find a wide AM in a 25 dollar bank box and here are some pics of mine. NGC graded the coin MS64 RB - I took it to a local precious metals store, it cost $40 bucks.
NGC - 2588549-009

[willbrooks]

Here is the response I got from him. He clearly admits he is not educated on the details, yet refuses to pull this auction in the meantime. I even provided him with the LCR link that shows Wide and Close AM details. At least he was polite about it, lol.

Dear willbrooks,

thank-you for your heads up. I will look into this further and educate myself. This auction will be my last with any wide A M coins until I understand what you are saying...Thanks again ...coppereyes