hey there everyone, as a relatively new coin collector that wants to get rich quick(has anyone else been trying to do this?), im stuck with this giant pile of coins needing close examination and as my eyes seem to be worn out i need mechanical assistance. so far ive got a couple decent lighted loupes and lso a cheap microscope. the problem with the microscope is im having trouble orienting the coin to isolate say the date or specific word fields...so now im thinking one of those giant articulated mag glasses with the big round light on it is just what i need. i dont want to buy one of everything and im looking for some experienced direction say from some of you that already bought one of everything? thx
Welcome to CT!!! It sounds like what you have is a great start. A decent 10-15x loupe and good lighting is really all you need. Instead of trying to get lighted loupes or magnifying glasses I would suggest you change the lighting in the room some what. A swinging arm lamp with a good "White Light" bulb will really go a long way. I also have poor eyesight and getting these has helped me tremendously. I have also been thinking about getting a set of jewelers glasses to wear instead of using a loupe. I think this may help as well. As for this. There is no "Getting rich quick" in coin collecting. While there are collectors that sell and make some money, NONE are getting rich off it. Most do it to support their hobby and buy more coins.
Welcome to CT!! It would be best if you made a new thread in the "What's it Worth" forum on this site. Your coin will get more attention in it's own thread. https://www.cointalk.com/forums/whats-it-worth/ Post clear close-up photo's of the obverse and reverse of the coin. Without photo's it is really hard to say how much your coin could be worth.
Get you a cheap USB scope AND one of these perhaps http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bausch-Lomb...365136?hash=item569c5a83d0:g:2LwAAOSwHLNZTIuH This one needs eyepiece (20-125 bucks athough they are servicable) and the SZ7 at it's lowest zoom, without a demagnifying "barlow" has a field of view that won't quite swallow a whole quarter. Pretty sure, I'm too lazy to go look and verify. The objective lenses are stated to be scratched and these on the SZ7 are tricky to find cheap, and tricky to replace without a complete disassembly replacing the entire objective lens assembly (you can see there are just two tiny lenses and to merely remove and replace them can be done, but, it ain't easy). Even after doing that, adjusting everything with useful precision isn't a task for an average joe that can change his own oil and adjust the bucket shims in his DOHC engine. But, sometimes, you can snag one in nice shape and turn key ready for this money or a little more. Barlows for them are more expensive than the more common earlier units. Or one like this SZ4 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bausch-Lomb...291257?hash=item3616c5bb39:g:nj0AAOSwceNZSenm Who knows if this one is worth owning since it is missing both eyepieces yet the seller says it may need adjusting? These are easier to fix than the SZ7's with parts/accessories being cheaper. Those were just the first two search hits and 4's can be plucked off craigslist and eBay for 100 bucks or less, ready to use. Sometimes you can get lucky and find one loaded with everything and more for that money or still a bargain and 3 times. A good loupe will never allow you to see a coin like a stereo and looking at coins all day through a loupe will work you much harder than using a stereo. A cheap USB microscope won't show what a stereo will and only recommended because you can pop up on your pc screen and compare to known attributed varieties once found, without having to look back and forth between your eyepieces and screen. That and, of course, they are very inexpensive. I have medical stereo glasses (cheapies and good ones), flip visor, good loupes etc. I view them as take along travel stuff for coins when I'm not going to pack a stereo into places requiring a lower profile. For inspection and picking off fine details at my desk, I use the stereo because it gets the job done and doesn't have me worn out and exhausted at the end of the day. Don't get a fixed stage scope, get one with variable zoom and don't get a cheapier amscope just to get a new one. I like their trinocular's simulafocal feature, but, the optical quality and color correction leaves much to be desired.
6 hours later...........Maybe he's having trouble trying to figure how to load the film in his iPhone. Chris
