Hi all. I'm new here and just trying to learn a bit from all of you. I'm wondering if a high resolution scan is sufficient for most purposes? Are many of the coins on Ebay scanned as opposed to photgraphed? It is indeed, a lot quicker! I'm practising both methods on a junk coin to see what I can manage. This one is scanned. Any opinions? Thanks!
Looks like it is made from alabaster, quite horrible. Scanned coins usually show no luster and often give wrong impression. You will do much better using an inexpensive camera and, very important, proper lighting. Try experimenting with coins that show some luster to see if they look nice photographed, not with junk coins, which might look bad using both methods.
I think part of the problem is your coin...looks cleaned heres a couple of my scans. It's a Epson V330. I do perfer my Canon camera. I use the scanner only for a quick referance.
I can see the luster of the Mercury dime in that scan. I use the scanner because it is faster. Has anyone tried using their web cam as well? I think I may try this to see how it will work out.
A scan can be quite adequate to show off details, but they generally do not show color or luster very well. Just a decade ago, or even less, scans of coins were far more common than today and most folks could interpret the scanned images very well. Over time and with the addition of many newer collectors, that general ability to interpret scanned images appears to have diminished.
As a buyer of coins, I prefer a photograph over a scan. A scan is easier to do and can easily outdo a poor photograph, but even the best scan provides comparatively less color and luster information than a well-taken photograph. And evaluating color and luster is very important to someone trying to evaluate a coin as part of an online purchase. So for that reason, to me a good photograph wins hands down. That said, the gap between photographs and scans is the narrowest with well circulated coinage that has a thick (and often lusterless) skin.
Thank You all ... I do appreciate the critique and the helpful advice. I'll work more on photographing. Like I said, I'm just new here and trying to learn. Baby steps. Thanks for being cool about it.
I scan alot of my images on a cheapo cannon printer scanner duo. I only use it for lower grade coins I photograph all my higher end stuff.
That's more than cool of you to do that for me! Very, very helpful info. and you didn't have to do that for any other reason ... except that you just wanted to help. Really very nice. I'm thinking that "coin guys" are all right!
