Interesting question:

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Steamandlight, Jul 1, 2016.

  1. Steamandlight

    Steamandlight Active Member

    When you are looking through a bunch of coins with a loupe, do you just look for certain known markers, looking for specific types and varieties, or do you scan the whole coin, checking for interesting errors, or even the rare 'new' variety?
     
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  3. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    I use florescent light :facepalm: and a stereo scope :jawdrop: set at its lowest power while I scan the whole coin. :happy:
     
    TJ1952 likes this.
  4. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

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  5. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    I use a loupe to detect unseemly nicks and scratches that may be overlooked without the aid of such a device. With my unaided eye, I rotate the coin to determine if there is a cartwheel effect........for uncirculated coins.
     
  6. Steamandlight

    Steamandlight Active Member

    lol. that's a bit above my pay grade. I use a cheap 10x or 20x loupe and a desk lamp.

    On the other hand, I am trying to figure out a good way to use my n don'tice camera to just take magnified pictures. Save my eyes and just check the computer screen...

    Right now I am going through about 100x 1943P jefferson war nickels, looking for overdates and DDOs. I keep second guessing myself though... I've found several that I think are 1943/2 overdates, but... my eyes are not the best, and I don't have anyone who can doublecheck for me. And I keep feeling like I probably missed something on some of the 'rejects'. Lol.
     
  7. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    You ain't old enough for your eyes to be bad. Wait'll ya get to my age.........:)
     
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  8. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    Magnification is the "great equalizer." There should be no way you cannot see something at 10X. At 20X, most of the micro stuff you find is EDIT. I know, I know, it is still fun.

    On the 43/2. If it is not obvious, you don't have one.

    Get yourself a florescent light and save your eyes from all the "glare doubled" nothings you study for five minutes before you decide there is no doubling! Try it, you'll switch - guaranteed. :cigar:
     
    green18 likes this.
  9. Steamandlight

    Steamandlight Active Member

    Lol. I just remembered i have a few flourescent bulbs, so I just swapped the one in my lamp. lets see how it helps :) Thanks for the tip.
     
  10. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    I've never tried the one's that fit in a lamp socket. I use the long double tubes.

    As a lighthearted "jab" :facepalm:...Let me write this as if I were my favorite Coin Talk "Ex-Pert" as he will not be able to see this :D(good guess but NOT Doug): Since the intensity of the lumens emitted from the cool, curved surface of the typical range of daylight rated Chinese-made florescent tubes ...:rolleyes:o_O

    Since florescent bulbs do not "throw" much light, You may need to put the lamp on its side on a stack of books as you want the light close to the coin.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2016
  11. TJ1952

    TJ1952 Well-Known Member

    I try to use most of the methods, techniques and searches listed above. As stated, saving my eyes is key! I hold the coins under my eFlex and view them on the computer screen. I can see details on the computer I can't see using my loupe.

    DSCN4827.JPG
     
    Insider likes this.
  12. SuperDave

    SuperDave Free the Cartwheels!

    All of the above. If you're into varieties, the point is to look at the whole coin, because it feels pretty cool to be the one who finds the new variety. :) Dismissing a coin because it doesn't comport to known pickup descriptions is abandoning the job halfway through. And yes, I'm a variety geek. :)

    Given the cheap and easy availability of superior optics tethered to the computer, the hassle and eyestrain of manual examination under a loupe is a thing of the past for anyone willing to learn and invest a few bucks. I use a camera that cost $84, a lens that cost $60, a $40 bellows and 2 $10 adapters. My stand is fairly sophisticated (cost a few bucks), but you could duplicate the capability with a $25 tripod. So, call it ~$200 (you can cut $20 off the price of the lens with judicious shopping) for real-time viewing onscreen of the full face of the coin at magnification like this (if you want; you don't *have* to look at it fullsize):

    2016_05_23_0099detail.JPG

    That's 1x optical magnification with a 10MP camera. Go to a more sophisticated 20-24MP unit, and that effective onscreen magnification nearly doubles. And that isn't actually pushing the lens' ability to magnify - most lenses like this are usable up to 2x magnification - so you can double the size yet again.

    Imagine roll-searching like that....and whenever you see something of interest, one click of the mouse saves an image just like what you see.

    For the life of me I don't understand why more people don't do it this way.
     
  13. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

    Yes, but depending on the software your electronic scope uses. often the details are not really there anyway.
     
  14. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    Even after the initial $$$, perhaps because it is a PITA? :hilarious::hilarious::hilarious:
     
  15. TJ1952

    TJ1952 Well-Known Member

    True.

    I've never had complaints posting pictures here on the level of detail or clarity of the coins. I guess using a loupe is much faster but it kills my eyes in short order. I close my left eye and use my right eye when using the loupe. Plus, I can't see the entire coin when using the loupe.

    I see the entire coin using both eye on the computer. It's not the highest technology but it works for me.
     
  16. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    Examining speed is what I strive for. If it is too microscopic, it may be relaxing and fun plus a "nice find" but if you are looking to make a profit, you are kidding yourself. Naked-eye errors rule!

    "They" tell us to keep both eyes open when using a glass. I've never been able to do that. "They" also tell us to put the lens next to our eye and bring the coin closer and closer to our glass until the coin comes into focus. Also, If you cannot see most of a Morgan dollar at the same time, your lens is too powerful for grading. The B&L 3X-4X-7X (as far as I can tell - no longer made by that company) was the best! Then if you see something interesting like a variety go to your higher power glass.

    The benefit of holding a coin (and I guess this works for your rig ?) is you can tip and rotate it easily to better determine what you are looking at.
     
    TJ1952 likes this.
  17. TJ1952

    TJ1952 Well-Known Member

    No need for speed on my end, I don't have that much to look at.

    Yes, tipping and rotating a coin in hand (and into the light) is the only way to go.

    I'm way behind the "coin curve" compared to you guys. You guys have forgotten more about coins then I will ever know!
     
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