Inherited coins

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Rick B, Aug 8, 2020.

  1. Rick B

    Rick B Well-Known Member

    I inherited two gold coins. So I actually can fill two slots in the gold page of my US Type Set!

    Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle No Motto 1908
    Indian Head Quarter Eagle 1926

    Attached are photos, but they aren't very good. I need to learn how to photograph coins and maybe get some equipment if it isn't to expensive. Suggestions welcome! Not an expensive SLR type camera though!

    I would appreciate help grading these if it's at all possible with these photos.
    Thanks!
    Indian Head Quarter Eagle Obverse 1926.jpg Indian Head Quarter Eagle Reverse 1926.jpg Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle No Motto Obverse 1908.jpg Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle No Motto Reverse 1908.jpg Indian Head Quarter Eagle Reverse 1926.jpg
     
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  3. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    This setup set me back about $40. The Morgan is on the base below the camera and the image is in the background on my desk top monitor. Just a suggestion.
    IMG_5924.JPG
     
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  4. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Very nice! How far in can you zoom? Do you need to load special software?
     
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  5. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    It comes with software that is called MicroCapture. The photo you see is of a Morgan. To get the full Morgan you need a stand that is about 8 or 9 inches tall. This particular camera/scope has a stand that is too short. You can see it to the right.

    Many scopes won't let you get the full view of dollar size coins. This one will if you set it up correctly. You can zoom to a mintmark. See the dime below. You only want up to about 300X at most. Anything higher will not take a good photo.

    With this one you just click the camera and the photo goes directly to your pre-designated file. Plugs in to the USB. There is a minor issue. If you leave it on without using it for a while you may have to turn it off and back on.

    It is called MUSTCAM, 10X - 300X, 5M True Resolution

    1931 S Rev Mark.jpg
     
  6. Rick B

    Rick B Well-Known Member

    How do I find this on Amazon? Looks great!
     
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  7. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    Yes. Let me look it up and get right back to you.
     
  8. Rick B

    Rick B Well-Known Member

    Then there is this one. I wonder how they compare? Especially about getting the full coin of dollars.
    Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand
     
  9. Rick B

    Rick B Well-Known Member

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  10. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

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  11. Rick B

    Rick B Well-Known Member

    I think the
    Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle No Motto 1908
    is at least mint. MS60. Maybe higher. ANA guide says full mint luster and just a few blemishs, bag marks, and surface abrasions for MS65. This coin seems to fit that description, unless there is actual wear on high points that I haven't discovered yet.
     
  12. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    You have to set the stand on something like a stack of books. But it is not easy because the one that come with it does not have a rack & pinion to make final adjustments. I knew this and had an old stand that is taller and variable. Perhaps you can find one on eBay or Amazon. I tried others and just couldn't get a good photo of dollar size. Take a look at mine again. That image shows the entire dollar and fills the desk top monitor. I am happy with it.
     
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  13. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    I don't like the flexible arm because it is too hard for me to steady.
     
  14. Rick B

    Rick B Well-Known Member

    So the stand in your picture is not the one that comes with it but something you had already? Suggestions on what to search for on ebay? I'm a total newbie with this stuff! Thanks.
     
  15. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

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  16. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    I can't seem to find one either right now. you need something the is easily adjustable and brings the scope up to about 8 or 9 inches. There are many threads on CT that discuss the same issues. You might want to look through them.
     
  17. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    This is a similar device but it seems to be very sturdy. The only issue is taking photos of dollar size coins. The device must be able to get about 8 or 9 inches from the subject. I would buy this one again but I am not very good at describing what I mean about the stand. I didn't like it but had another one already.
     
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  18. spirityoda

    spirityoda Coin Junky

  19. Rick B

    Rick B Well-Known Member

    No thoughts on grading these two coins?
     
  20. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Heck yes!! I don’t know about all that camera/microscope hooey, but I do know Indians and Double Eagles. Both specimens appear quite exemplary from what I can glean looking at photos on my phone. I own a 1908 no motto that is MS63. Yours is better than mine. I wouldn’t hesitate to say MS64 on the double eagle and 62-63 on the Indian. Those bugars are hard to grade unless they are in hand. That whole incuse inside out thing, you know?
     
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  21. Rick B

    Rick B Well-Known Member

    Thanks much Randy! That makes me happy :)
    What does this mean?: "incuse inside out thing"
     
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