Scanning coins

No LOL

not for the $50 I paid for mine anyways, very very funny. Once scanned I had to crop and throw into windows paint to combine the images.

 

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I don't use a scanner much but with practice (just like a camera) you can get good images. You have more control with a camera. This is a scan I did just playing.

 

WOW !
It looks like it is in an airtight ?
So the scanner lid was not all the way closed ?
Did you block out the outside light by covering it up with a towel ?
This might be something to experiment with since your scan did not seem to flatten out your image.

Nice work.

 

Yeah ldhair, that is one of the best scanned pics I have seen. I don't like scanned pictures because it's flat and it washes out the luster, but getting good shots of proofs with a camera is extremely difficult...and it came out amazing on a scanner.

-LTB

 

Scans of proofs are very often better than the average camera shot because the coin is flat on the surface and the light is basically omnidirectional and flat. Gives great dark field contrast. But the same conditions make regular coins look flat and lusterless.

Except that Doug gave a very good suggestion and yet few followed it ( and I paraphrase), put the coin at a very slight angle to the scanner lens. This could be done by putting the coin in a clear hard plastic holder with one edge of it on something of small thickness, so the light hits at an angle and yet the surface of the coin isn't out of the focal depth of the scanner lens. Some experimentation would be in order. Not much angle is needed to get luster showing.

Jim

 

My scanner is in a cabinet so outside light is not a problem.
If you look really close at the proof image above, you can see it's not really in focus.
If I had made the image any larger it would not look as good. Tilting the coin to the scanner bed works on some coins. I have had good luck doing that to bring out color but that makes the focus off. I have seen guys get really good with a scanner but they spent lots of time learning. I think it's harder to learn than a camera.

 

Me I prefer a scanner for the simple reason I am terrible with a camera LOL

 

You can create some interesting effects with scanner pictures:
but it is very difficult for me to get the actual likeness of these two scans. Somehow I think it's me and not the scanner's fault for getting better luster scans. I'm lucky , with my scanner I can tilt the coins/slabs to various angles without losing focus.
If your in the market for a scanner for coins/slabs make sure the scanner doesn't lose focus on a tilted object. That's a primary consideration.