The main thing is the quality of the lens. As you look at the coin, all of the lens should be in focus. On a cheep one the outer area of the lens won't be as clear and in focus as the center is.
So Heritage is showing Continental currency and I have never seen that in person. They would allow me to take a gander at one of those if I preregister?
It isn't pre-registering for that auction, it is registering as a member. If you already have an account with them, you don't have to register for this auction. If you don't have an account with them, everyone should. And yes, they'll let you look at anything you want to. Like messy said, they'll give you a menu and it will say something like lots 1000-1030, and you want to look at lot 1015. You check the box, hand the menu back to the attendant, they go get the box, and then supervise as you look at whatever you want. You can look at as many lots as you want to, as many boxes. They'll usually only get you one box at a time. If someone else is looking at that box already, they'll skip it and come back when it is available. Many of the people running the viewing are local security hired for a temp job, and they are as fascinated looking at the coins as you are!
I always do my bids on Heritage thru PayPal. I did email them and they did say they would let me look at the Continental Currency is they had it there.
I have spent time explaining the coins I'm looking at to the interested agent helping with lot viewing. It's a very gratifying experience.
Enjoy lot viewing! You're not going to get a chance to see that many of those in one place very often. And yes, you can spread them on the table and take a photo.
Oh man! You people get to go to the coolest places while I'm stuck here. GL all and have fun! Be safe too!