1988 D Wide AM FS 901 Memorial Cent Found In Salem Or.

Eh, 1988 WAM is the common reverse. Looking at the gap between the A and M in AMERICA alone will tell you nothing. The 1988 variety that is collectible is the transitional type, which is distinguished by the design of the designer's initials. I believe the uncommon one is RDV-006? http://www.lincolncentforum.com/290-2/ As the link shows, you shouldn't be looking at the gap between the A and M, as you would in 1992 1998 1999 2000 circulation strikes, you should be looking for serifs on the FG.

Images would help a lot with determining exactly what you have. If it's a common 1988 cent and you don't mind destroying your relationship with that coin dealer, go for it. I can also find some 1988 WAMs for you to sell on my behalf.

Also, I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say we want pictures of your other coins as well! Speaking for me now, I'd like to see the 1997 DDO and the 1992 D CAM. Thanks in advance!

[edit] Oops. I misread that. I mistakenly believed that the dealer offered you $600 for your coin. Here is the PCGS page for the true FS-901 coin: http://www.PCGScoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/569370. You should also take a look at the normal circulation strike for that year: http://www.PCGScoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/83105. You'll notice that they both have the Wide AM, so the name is a misnomer in my opinion.

well said Druu

cCrazyb0 have you found any varieties lately? I was in north central Kansas this summer and fall fishing and hunting and hit the banks in Junction City for about 120,000 cents over 6 months during this time.
My total haul was not real stealler. I was amazed by the amount of MS memorial cents and wheat cents ratios but as for varietys it was a desert, no a prairie harhar. My most notable finds were a 1909 VG,3 Indian Heads, 5 1960 D RPM, 2 1972 D DDO, and in change at Dairy queen I finally scored a 2009 DDR BU. The young ladie at the register gave me 4 fresh 2009 early years and it was in one of the four. I will post pics of it when I get the equipment. I kept a journal and ended up with 700 + wheat cents managed to fill an entire book from 1941 to 1975 with minimum AU 58 and most in 60-62. Strangely enough the only holes empty are the steels and and a 1954? Not one 1954 P out of the lot. The real treat was in inches not yards, I came up with around 150 MS red 1982 of about 35/65 P and D. A grand total of 5 MS zinc small date and 2 MS small date copper. There disapering before our very eyes.
Another anomaly is the rarity (in my case at least) of the 1984 P in MS. Of that year I found only 4 in MS 65-66! followed by 10-12 in MS64 RD . I am now definitely putting all 1980s and 90s MS RD cents in clear plastic tubes. I know there are millions out there but an old timer in Kansas shared some tips for me, he suggested storing the ones I'm finding now and wait 20-25 years. The guy showed me some tubes he put away in the early 80s. OMG the oldtimer had every year every mint in bulk from like 1974 to present. He is a sprite gentleman in his 80s and sold me a raw BU 1970s RPM EDS for $10. He said they were 25-50cents back in the day and that in 20 years those 82 zinc will be $5. He may be right. I met some great people at the little coin shows I attended there. Sadly I saw few young folks attending but the ones I did see had that gleam like we all had.
Oh, before I forget...shame on you for thinking I'm a bluffer on the 3 varietys I found in 2 bricks. Man shewuh I was having such a dry spell I was losing patientence with the whole mess. The fickle finger of fate sent those bricks to me and man did I need it. Come on coin buddy I know you also have had a killer brick or two, share with us some of your safari trophys. Hey no hidden once I get my equipment up I have some that will knock the dirt off your boots like a 1946 D with 1.clipped planchet 12 and 6 oclock 2. Rotated reverse 18 degrees CCW, and 3. Megaclash reverse. and a 1988 with Cud obscuring liberty of liberty.
I make no excuses for my lack of photographic equipment, I'm to busy chasing arrowheads, agates, turkey deer and catfish but for you and the gang I will break out my stash and get pics. You better come out big yourself buddies (smile,wink) lets show these wippersnappers some copper!
Take care man and stay in touch. Fred