Kind of a silly question but what magnification works best for coins? I've been using a Loupe meant for viewing slides but I want something smaller. Thanks.
3X is good to get a good, general view of the entire coin. 5X to 6X is good for viewing some details. For things like RPMs 10X is good.
I usually use a 10X loupe when reviewing all my coins, but have stronger loupes for a detailed analysis. The 10X loupe would be suitable for your reviewing your coins unless you are into die errors detailed grading. I reccomend the 10X loupe for you.
Bausch & Lomb and H.E. Harris make some top-notch loupes in both 5x and 10x. Both are a bit pricey compared to off-brand magnifiers, but the quality and durability is worth the few extra bucks, especially when this will be an important tool that will be needed throughout your life-long collecting career. -Brian
What magnification works best has to be determined by what you are trying to do with it or see with the device. If it's just something basic to have on hand, carry around and not spend a lot of money on then here is one option, an option I have been happy to use: Bausch & Lomb 5x Aspeheric It has decent optics while also cheap, compact and lightweight. You can find and read about all manner of specialist optics gear on this site if interested: Optics Planet
i use a 10x and a 60 x for gem stones,altho generally anything over 10x is consider overkill. most errors should be noticable to the under 10x if you need anything stronger you need not consider it an error, in my opinion
I have 4 hastings triplets 7, 10, 14, and 20X. I use my 7X a lot, except on halves and newer dollars. Then I use a non-hastings 5X. Unfortunately, the washer gismo on one side of my 7X loupe broke and so now if I am not careful the optics falls out of the holder. Anyone else have that issue and what's the fix? Maybe some superglue on the sides?
Its always about what you want to do with it. For general coin viewing I agree with a 5x. For errors and the like a 10-20x would be preferred. For anything more like surface analysis you really need a binocular microscope with a surface light.
So far the 10x loupe is working fine its good to see small details. I do use a lighted loupe which is 6x and that works good too.
I have used a tight fitting O-ring. If still loose, superglue the o-ring rather than the lens segment as it might creep between the lens segments before drying. Or maybe better, as it is thicker ,to use the epoxy on the o-ring. Jim
Kasia, if that doesn't help, measure the inside diameter in mm and let me know. I have quite a few microscope pasrts, including lens, so I may find a spare ring. Is it threaded? Jim
Thanks, Jim. I'll have to look for the old ring. I think I kept it.... And if I have to I'll measure the diameter.
i am thinking about buying this one: http://huisalbert.be/product.aspx?id=2850 translation of the description: Discover details that are not vissible with the naked eye. The included software lets you make pictures and video's to save to your computer. Lots of the coins on the website are made with this device. Magnification: 20-200x, 8 adjustable leds, optical zoom, resolution : 5 megapixels USB , Windows 2000/XP/VISTA/WIN7/MAC supports all big computer systems
any of them. I use a 3x and 7x. My wife got me a loupe for Christmas, and she must have thought I was fiber inspector for the FBI. It was a 60-100X.
I use a 10x. Comes in handy for taking pics. I just hold it against the camera lens, and adjust the distance of the camera to the object to get as clear a photo as I can. Here's a few I took using that method:
I have several loupes and magnifying glasses/devices. For details, I use a salvaged eyepiece from an old video camera. It's about 10x magnification.
