Scanning coins

Hey

What software does everyone use to scan coins? I have never scanned a coin before. I have a Kodak ESP 5 all in one printer and I tried to scan a coin and it scanned like a full page so the coin was really small. What do I need to do?

Thanks

 

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Never could get decent scans of any coins - gave up on it. I then spent several frustrating days figuring out a digital camera. Now they are decent enough to get an idea of the coin, but certainly not professional. I recommend a camera over a scanner and they are getting more affordable.

 

You need to preview before the scan and then crop the image, then when you scan the cropped area will be the full page size. I have not been able to get decent color on scans so I gave up and went to digital camera. My coins always scanned "lifeless" and cold, paper currency on the other hand I have been able to get scans of rather easily, and the color can easily be adjusted to better peresentation if desired.

 

Lifeless but revealing

I finally followed your instructions for previewing the image and cropping the area to be scanned and got a clear image but it seems to enhance the flaws in the coin. Below I posted a scanned image of a coin and then a picture taken with my webcam of the same coin.
I almost feel like I would want to use the scanner to allow me to see the ugly details , but if I was post a picture of an item for sale the webcam seems to capture what I see with my eyes. What do you think ?

 

Bingo!

I'm not a scanner/photography expert, but I use my scanner to check coins I think are "pristine" or MS-68s.

If I scan them and I don't see flaws, I'm good to go. But you're absolutely right, scans highlight the "bad" things on the coin.

 

I would prefer to see what a coin is really like so I can grade it. I scan for this reason. It is disappointing many more times finding digs and bag marks, etc. that weren't spotted using a 10x magnifier. Proofs specially show poor cameo with non cameo spots and smears.
But when you scan a proof 69 or 70 grade and after digital editting you can't find ANYTHINGwrong then you get that " ole good feelin" that you've got a great coin there. And it will sell itself through your knowledge of that and your enthusiasm of knowing how good it is.
But for realistic beauty and luster a photo cannot be beat. Detail is also very good. Camera = 10, scanner = 8.5.

 

heck all my pics are scans ,i have a very nice dig camera and the pics come out terrible from it

 

My avatar ' FG' is from my scanner.
1) My scanners (Epson Perfection V200) has it 's own limited software that it comes with to get the right size, color(somewhat), and sends it to 'My Pictures". It also supplies an editing program called 'photo impressions 6 by Arcsoft'.

2) In Windows XP home you can preview, magnify,and resize but not keep it that way except for resize.

3) I use ' Picasa3' , a free photo editting program you can download.
It has 95% of what Photoshop can do and it is easier to use IMHO.

4) So once in Picasa3 you can import a new file(scan) grom My Pictures and edit it to your hearts c ontent, then send it back to My Pictures. You can now delete the originals to save disc space.

 

I'd also like to add that scanners have difficulty showing a 3 demensional object such as a coin. This can get technical about focal points and software and hardware capabilities. If scanning coins is going to be the major use for a scanner then it may cost as much as a fine digital camera to bring out the life like images and luster of coins
But they can offer very good scans of flat currerency. This is a scanner's forte.
Very little depth involved to my limitted knowledge. Can get just as good if not better than a 12 megapixel SLR camera. And lighting is no problem as it is in photography where it is very critical.

 

I use the scanner software to scan my stuff. I chose the multiple photo option with 400dpi which means no cropping and each object is a separate image..

The scanner works great for currency.

I'm using a Canon MP610 scanner\printer.

Will be photographing my stuff in a couple of weeks.

 

A Scanner works great, As long as you block out the light from the
Openings, This is especially true when scanning graded coins and
Your lid is elevated by the slab!

 

In the first image I scanned the REV at 2400dpi on an HP Photosmart C3180 All-In-One and used the cropping option before the scan. I was trying to determine if I had discovered a new variety of "close AM" in a 1978 coin.

In the second image I used my Logitech 9000 Pro webcam set at 8 megapixels and had the freedom of shooting from an angle that would enhance the space between the "A" & the "M".

post scan and post photo , both images were further cropped and their sizes reduced to just under 250k each in order to be uploaded to this web site , without being automatically reduced to useless.

This is a case where the webcam was more useful IMHO.

 

Just remember that not all scanners are the same. For example my Son has a Epson that is the most fantastic scanner I've ever seen. Mine is a HP and I'm close to seeing how far I can throw it.

 

Kangayou, nice scan and nice photo. You've got it now.

 

Now if I could only get my hands on some coins that are worth the effort.

 

Canon MP470

I use the Canon MP470 and have never had an issue, it automatically separates multiple images for me. Here are some examples.

 

Geat photos, better coins, still better web site. zeke

Is ' SWEI ' pronunced sss-phi but more with a ' v' sound?

 

So there is a scanner that scans both sides of a surface at once and separates them for you ?

 

Jah, sehr gut. :thumb:

 

Scanned coins with poor details.



I think scanners are more just more adept at scanning flat surfaces than a camera lens.