I have read several times that scans do not bring out the luster in the coins and that digital photo's do. However I have a question for those who scan. I am currently scanning in at 1200 dpi so I can blow up the photo in Paint shop pro. (a Photshop knockoff). For those who scan at what dpi do you scan in at so you can get a good look at the coin?
Something I have played around with quite a bit. Sometimes you get better scans, but it can depend on the coin. Scans are not better for higher relief coins, but fine for low relief, and no lustre left. But so much is determinate on the scanner you use, the software you use, the photo editing software. I have found things that do not scan well at all, but okay photographs, other items make for lousy photos but okay scans. This even applies for banknotes, I have scanned one repeatedly this morning, something like 8 times and it is still a miserable image, it is a Komori Test Note from the early 1980's and I would swear that something in the printing causes the scanner to rotate the final image.
One thing I've noticed with scans and this has been posted several times before, but scans really show up nicks and scuffs really well. You think you have this beaut of a coin and then the scan shows all these scratches and little imperfections. You pull out a loupe and sure enough, they're there! But photos are generally better, if you want it to look like it actually does.
Oh I hate to say it, I have felt that way when I photographed something too. Like this: Until I took this photograph and viewed it on the 'puter I never noticed the small areas of verdigris on the eagles left leg and right wing.
Neither one, camera or scanner, will bring out luster or color if you don't capture the image at the right angle. But if you capture the image at the right angle - both camera and scanner will bring them out.
