Menader Bactrian drachm

The thread on Bactrian coins got me interested in re-photographing mine. I've recently developed this process that controls highlights well and maximizes details on otherwise bright silver. It really works well for MS modern silver coins where you want to render every detail. In this case, it pulls out interesting details such as signs of die wear on the obverse.



Menander, AR Drachm, 160-145 BC, Taxila-Pushkalavati Mint, 2.37gr

Shot with Nikon D810, 60mm micro, ISO 64, f9. Focus-stacked with Helicon Focus to maximize detail. No sharpening in camera; only slight sharpening applied in post-processing.

 

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Very nice photo KurtS

 

I like you, Kurt ... ummm, so does it make it look like the actual coin "in-hand"?

 

Well...if you put this coin under a bright light, there would be a lot of reflections. Of course, reflections have zero detail--that's where my process pulls all that back so you see everything. Appearance is relative to lighting, so there's a tradeoff. On modern silver, my setup works well for capturing detail on nice, toned silver.


sorry 'bout a modern coin in the ancients forum--but it's an example of how this works.

 

I struggle with silver. Maybe I should play with adjusting the ISO. For whatever reason I thought that only applied to video.

 

Oh and good shots! You captured the toning very well on that Mexican coin.

 

On my camera, ISO mostly affects the noise present. At ISO 64, there's very little noise and in fact most shots don't need any sharpening with my 60mm. But yeah--silver is hard to shoot. I have to use maximum diffusion on the lighting too. Thanks!

 

Very nice coin and photo of a ruler from my favourite ancient category !
Just one point of constructive critique; The obverse in your Menander picture is clearly bigger than the reverse. Probably due to the coin not being perfectly round.

 

Excellent photo Kurt.

 

Steve's point is a good one. I've discovered that a photo can be too honest, if there is such a thing. I can love a coin in hand, but take a 4000 pixel image of it and my love turns to hate. The naked eye doesn't discern every microscopic surface flaw. Your technique certainly works wonders on modern silver, but I have reservations about the OP pic. I suspect it does not convey the real charm of the coin.

 

Cool pics...as usual!

 

As often repeated here, I have serious problems with the concept of making photos that look like the coin 'in hand'. The fact is that a coin 'in hand' depends on where the hand is located, whether it is still or wiggling and whether there is a magnifier between the hand and the eye. I say if your less than the best photo looks like the coin 'in hand' you probably need to move your hand.

 

This is an old photo. Every time I change my photo techniques I can not reshoot every coin.

Kurt's photo is better due to his control of glare on the head. If a coin is not round and the axis is not 12H or 6H, The coin should not be the same height on both sides.

 

I love photos of coins that transform them into what they really are, miniature works of art. I have seen some here that are pretty spectacular. I say the more the merrier. Those who have mastered the floating coin with reflection technique....kudos...I have not....yet.

Photos used to sell a coin are completely different. I would want to see several to get a good idea and this is usually not the case. Silver is hard to photo and often the lighting has to be flattened. I get and accept that.

I don't own these three coins anymore, but I much prefer looking at them this way, then their stale auction photos which,while they showed the details just as well as mine, lacked warmth IMO. I can't find the original photos anymore, but they were your basic catalog photos. These shots are early attempts, then I gave up. I will probably try again based on what I have seen posted. I have been re-inspired.

 

well worth the effort IMO.

 

I have an older photo of my Menander drachm that needs an update...

Notice Athena looking the other way as compared to Doug's and Kurt's coins.

Menander I (165-130 BC)
Pushkalavati mint, Chief workshop.
AR Drachm 18 mm x 2.42 grams
Obverse: Heroic Bust of Menander I of Bactria Greek script- BASILEWS SWTHPOS MENANDPOY
Reverse: Athena advancing right, thunderbolt in raised right hand, shield on left arm. Monogram in the left field. Kharoshti script-MAHARAJA SATRAP MENANDRASA
ref: Bopearachchi Serie 3D; SNG ANS 694ff.

 

Not my best photo, but one of my most attractive Menander specimen.

 

Wow--great pictures and coins everyone! D

It's totally OK to have reservations with my photo technique. I don't do it to show off the coin as much as capture the maximum amount of detail--so I can see things I hadn't noticed before. Personally, I don't think of "flaws" on ancient coins as much as the history of its use and its journey to present day. Some ancient coins had a fairly smooth ride, others a rough and tumble journey--all of which is now recorded on the coin. Whether you find my photo ugly or just honest may be a matter of perspective.

 

You're right of course. And you manage with silver much better than I do. I spoke too hastily. Great coin, btw.