Coin Pictures vs. Coin Reality

These pictures of an 1825 quarter eagle, a tough coin, are accurate in their own way. Neither tells the whole store about the coin. The quarter eagles from this era were in low relief and many of them had semi P-L surfaces. Therefore every mark shows.

Taken "straight on."



The shots taken at an angle.



NGC graded this coin MS-61, which I think is a fair grade.

Beware of coins like this graded MS-61 or 62 which have pictures that show no marks. The trick is over expose the photo which "burns out" out the surface marks which are actually there.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Once i quit using my expensive set up with umbrellas and large flourescent twist bulbs, and just used incandescent from the dinner table lamp overhead, my pictures improved 100%! Now i just have to avoid the reflection of the light. Good thread!

 

Yes, some of best coin pictures I have taken were of raw coins with a table lamp high overhead. Slabs drive you crazy because of the reflection issues.

 

i started using a 3 ring binder to angle it a little to avoid that reflection & use a white piece of paper. Works most of the time!

 

Well we will see. I bought the coin.

 

Which should bring us around to, really, it's a two-way street, and let's not lose sight of that. Ever try to sell one on pictures, only to get harassed? If you haven't, you've some selling left to experience.

If it's certified, all sales are final. If it's not, all sales are final. You don't like it, don't buy from me again. But I made every reasonable effort to represent it as true and accurate, and I'm not responsible for your buyer's remorse. Additional pictures at my discretion, as they raise my COGS on my Income Statement.

 

[QUOTE="eddiespin, post: 6805680, member: 4920"
If it's certified, all sales are final. If it's not, all sales are final. [/QUOTE]


what happened to by the coin and not the slab?

 

Well here is the tornesi that just arrived today. I will attach the sellers pics again. I just took my phone out and took a pic. If I hold the coin under a light and move it I can see the toning. [

 

Are you happy with your purchase? That's the only question that matters.

I have found that 'colorful'/'rainbow'/'monster' toning is pretty much 100% dependent on the lighting angle. Yeah, there are times when 'some' of the color always show at any angle, but not the full booming toning we hope for. I think @ddddd, who is a toned-coin-guru (IMO), along with others, would agree with that statement. So if you're going to be a toned coin collector, knowing that the coin will vary greatly in hand should be expected. The tornesi seller certainly wasn't over-selling the toning, as the coin is shown both ways (honest representation), and if anything, was underselling it by showing both lighting scenarios.

I like almost all toned coins, and think that those colorful monster rainbow coins look awesome, but I also anticipate seeing those colors in full glory very rarely, and because of that, I won't pay a premium.

I think the tornesi is a very attractive coin even without the toning, and would be happy to have it (if I collected them).

 

Yes I'm fine with the purchase. It's in my Italian Copper collection. I am not a rainbow toner guy unless I believe it is authentic. I positive on this one.

You are correct the seller did not over sell the tone....and honestly I prefer the fact that it requires alot of movement to display rainbow. There's a small touch if you know it's there....a significant amount if I want it to dance.

I left the seller positive feedback immediately.

 

Yes it is true that almost any coin will look different depending on the angle and light conditions. Proof coins are one particular example where the difference can be stark.