Tons of doubled quarters?

Really like your setup, but you are correct that stereo optical zoom trinocular is the best way to go...if you can stand the cost. But don’t forget the camera pickup will still be digital to connect to the computer, so you want it 3 megapixel or better or you are wasting the optics.

However, I have used usb microscopes for several years, was very unhappy with the pixelation problems at high magnitude on 2 megapixel scopes.

Recently I spent $80.00 on a Celestron Handheld Digital Microscope Pro (it does come with a stand for full range and stability). I’ve been using it for grading and doubled die checking for 2 weeks now and it is excellent...it features a 5 megapixel pickup and is very clean and clear. I set the focus and slide the coins in and out effortlessly and quickly...no more frustration over seeing the die markers to confirm what you find. I have it connected to a laptop, not compatible with Apple Ipad.

I will post pictures later today to show everyone. The only real problem I continue to have is glare trying to shoot through packaging and protection, like through a flip film while inside a 20-pocket page, etc. But glare and lighting issues happen no matter what you use.

Spark

 

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I have the Celestron too... I use it at shows for checking RPDs ... Tethered to either my cell phone or a laptop.

 

It doesn't matter that the camera attachment is digital. I'm using the optical zoom on the scope for the close-up, and all the camera does is take a photo of it.

Chris

 

And here's a picture of it in use:

I put the middle-sized block on its side, used the small shim at a 90-degree angle so it supports the cell phone and gets the necessary height over the full slab...

A little better rotation of the ensemble so the edge of the phone doesn't cast a shadow on the slab and poof.

 

OK, yah, I get it thanks Burton. I might buy one of those stereoscopic deals.

 

Chris

 

The three blocks are all cut from 2x3 Cedar on a table saw, so the dimensions are 1.5" x 2.5" with heights of 3 11/16" and 5 1/4".

The little shim is another 3 11/16" offcut which was ripped down to 5/8"

So I have

9 5/8" (all three end to end)
9" (big + little)
5 7/8" (big + shim)
5 1/4" (big)
4 5/16" (little + shim)
3 11/16" (little)
3 1/8" (little or big on side + shim)
1.5" (little or big on side)

Which lets me shoot from a silver dollar to a 6"x7" (with a bit of cropping).

(These images are double sampled, once downsized by the phone and then as screengrabs)




(The pixelization explains why I usually yell at people for taking pics of screens)(the one below is the full shot showing the other dimension I can shoot)


For sure, these are not great shots, but they are good enough for basic records, insurance, etc.

And the pieces live next to the garlic jar so they're always available.

 

DELETE double post

 

DELETE triple post

 

Agree, you are getting a much better picture through the optics...Spark

 

Thanks guys for all the info, I think I'll buy an appropriate camera. But I still have no idea what to think about these quarters, I have scores of hours invested in finding them, at least ten hours in photography and now they are costing me money....I enjoy roll searching pennies for fun...these quarters are becoming a real burden! Kinda joking, but I sure hope at least half turn out legit, or any at all. What about this picture?

 

It is my greatest or second greatest mistake. Once I put back a beautiful 80's double reverse when all I knew about was wheat pennies. I thought it was cool and I kept it around for a while, but...

 

There's an old saying...."You've got to spend money to make money."

When I was actively buying Sac dollar, Kennedy half dollar & SQ bags from the Mint to search for high grade coins to submit for grading, I always made a pretty good profit from flipping the MS68 business strikes which not only paid for the purchase of the bags but for the cost of submitting them to a TPG while still leaving me about 80-90% of each bag to dump into circulation.

You're not going to make a decent profit looking through circulated coins!

Chris

 

Well, you really don't have to be rich...just smart! I bought a handheld microscope on Amazon for about $35...give or take a dime! https://www.amazon.com/Microscope-S...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=481XS0Y2JXB12Z69NE71

It puts out these types of pictures...

 

Chris, that is how I got into this current "Problem". I started looking at uncirculated quarters to see if any were worth grading when I noticed a Double Two in the date of a 2017 Ellis Island. I have a good repor with my banks so I went and got like 20,000 dollars worth of quarters one box at a time and went through them all in about 4 weeks. I never was in it for the money, but I would like to try bumping collecting up a notch and try to sell a few. I ordered the Celestron Pro that was recommended and I found one for 55 bucks that will be here in a couple days. Thanks for your insight.

 

That would be perfect also...

 

There is no guarantee that boxes of quarters from the bank are uncirculated. There is also no guarantee that all of the coins will be the same date/mintmark so you can compare all of them to one another. The only way you can be 100% sure that they are uncirculated is to buy them from the Mint. Granted, the bags from the Mint will cost more than face value, but that is why it is called "spending money to make money".

Chris

 

What do you mean there is no guarantee they are uncirculated? I mean, sure, not every time do I get access to brand new quarters, but when I get a box of all one coin and apparently uncirculated, they aren't uncirculated you are implying? I travel the west in a two piece band with my wife, I have all day to look for banks with new coins and all day to look at them when I find them, and it doesn't matter if I find them or not, I'm just having fun on the road with nothing to do.
But anyway, I purchased a Celestron Pro and man, is it easy. I recommend it to anyone who needs a cheap fix. Here are a couple new pix.
But, I would like to sell a couple hundred of these though if I could, and I'm not unwilling to spend a little money to have these graded, but I would like to hear a couple experts say they would give it a try before I go out on a limb and join that PCGS club or whatever (Although I've been thinking off joining anyway before I found these)
Are there even a couple hundred people who would want one if they do turn out to be real? It seems far fetched..But I'm way an outsider...I wouldn't have a clue. (2018 Block Island)