Exhibit- 1945-D Walking Liberty Half. Photographed- Spring 2008. By- AdamL

AdamL · 12-05-2008, 09:40 PM

OK guys, go easy on me. I only have access to a camera with macro when my brother visits from out of state, so I haven't had much coin photography practice. Also, I lost a bunch of my files, so this is one of the only coin photos I have left on my computer, LOL. But it is one of my better Walker pictures. So, here it is. Advice and comments welcome. Just be nice

**Catbert** · 12-05-2008, 10:20 PM

Adam.......just wonderful! Got to be one of the best designs on a coin ever. Love it.

Wild a** guess....65?

mrbrklyn · 12-06-2008, 08:03 AM

wonderful photo and coin. Is that coin blast white in the hand? The hand looks like all the fingers are there and somehow you seemed to have photographed this with almost no glare. Great exhibit! Can you tell me anthing about the 1945 Denver Mint?

kanga · 12-06-2008, 10:25 AM

Nice coin.

Good choice of background.

Your lighting is good. Just needs be be adjusted slightly.
Notice how the bottom of your images gets a bit dark.

And the focus on the obverse is a bit off.
The reverse focus look good.

For a first iteration, well done!

You'll find like I did that it will take a LOT of experimentation to get it just right.
And then you'll go to you next coin and have to tweak the settings a bit. Or the lighting.
ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT: Keep accurate records of the camera settings and lighting. You don't want to have to "re-invent the wheel" for each imaging session.

You'll find raw coins will be the easiest to image.
The only significant changes will be when you change metals, so you'll need three somewhat different settings (copper, silver, gold.)

Slabs will present more difficult problems.
- Focus on the coin, not the slab.
- Reflections.

But the one that is driving me crazy is proof coins.
They are REALLY tough to image.
Mostly you have to play with the lighting.

Keep at it.
Looks like you are off to a good start.
And convince your brother that you should have the camera when he's not using it

jello · 12-06-2008, 10:52 AM

Kanga proof coin are easier if you can switch your camera black & white I have found out. plus you can really tell the cameo on them. but Canadian coin are still hard on B&W too

AdamL that a great 1st try !!!!

Freddypm · 12-06-2008, 12:33 PM

What a nice Walker. It is my favorite design on any coin. The obverse is awesome and the reverse is impressive!

Phoenix21 · 12-06-2008, 12:35 PM

Excellent picture IMHO!!

Nice. I grade the Walker a MS-64?

Phoenix

kanga · 12-06-2008, 12:51 PM

Hmmmmmmm, I don't think it's an MS.
Lack of detail on the left hand and robe lines across the leg.
Slightly baggy in the field behind Liberty, and the sun has a ding too.
I don't see any Mint shine either.
IMO, all that would make it difficult to even get to MS-63.

And I think I'm seeing some rubs on the high points.

My guess would be AU-53 or -55

AdamL · 12-06-2008, 06:32 PM

I think maybe I was supposed to have some educational info too? I forgot. Here's some right off the top of my head.
This coin was designed by Adolph A. Weinman, who also desiged the Mercury dime. This coin was minted from 1916-1947, but several years were skipped. It was minted in Phillidelphia, Denver and San Fransisco. It is .900 fine silver.

AdamL · 12-06-2008, 06:38 PM

Kanga, thanks for the photography advice. I do beleive that this is an UNC coin though. One of your observations, the lack of mint shine, that is the one aspect of this coin that the photo did not depict correctly. This thing is almost blast white. Lack of detail on the hand is one thing that makes me think twice about the grade, but I've looked at alot of Walkers, and most seem to not show the fingers well-in almost all grades.
And I'm afraid getting my brother to leave the camera won't work. He has to use it for his job. If he can make it home for Christmas though, I'll try to take as many pictures as I can.

AdamL · 12-06-2008, 06:38 PM

Thanks everyone else for the compliments and comments

**Catbert** · 12-06-2008, 07:10 PM

Cornelius Vermeule writes in "Numismatic Art in America: Aesthetics of the United States Coinage" that Adolph Alexander Weinman's design is ".....an original creation, not a slavish copy. This half dollar, one of the greatest coins of the United States - if not the world - is as modern as official sculpture can be. It has the combination of naturalism, classicism, and dignified inner balance, a generaly suave figure style in the midst of traditional poses......"

What a great coin design and Adam your coin does it honor!

mrbrklyn · 12-06-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jello

Kanga proof coin are easier if you can switch your camera black & white I have found out. plus you can really tell the cameo on them. but Canadian coin are still hard on B&W too

AdamL that a great 1st try !!!!

that might be OK for a Silver coin but obviously with a copper you lose important information. The being said, for the purposes of the contest, we are aiming at coin photography and exhibition and one can well chose a B&W photo as an artisitc theme and still win.

Ruben

mrbrklyn · 02-09-2009, 07:26 PM

Great Entry Adam! As was everyones!

Thank you so much for participating!

Exhibit- 1945-D Walking Liberty Half. Photographed- Spring 2008. By- AdamL http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t44464/#post473168

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Leadfoot · 02-09-2009, 09:23 PM

Great coin -- one of my favorite designs!

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