Opinions, Please - Quick Imaging (Scanning)

I have a World Birth Year set.
It's an inexpensive "fun" set so most of the coins are circulated.
I want to image the set quickly so I intend to scan most of the coins rather than photograph them.
My Rules:
-- No coins will be scanned in a holder (2x2 or flip).
-- Coins that for some reason don't scan well will be photographed.
-- Coins in slabs will be photographed (my scanner in-focus point is the glass surface; even the small offset caused by a slab will make the image fuzzy)
-- Scans will be done at 600dpi.
-- No resizing will be done so that the relative sizes will be retained.

Here is a test case of a 24mm coin:



Opinions:
-- Is the size okay or too big?
-- Is the image quality okay?
-- Did I forget something?

This COVID-19 pandemic is causing me to have LOTS of time to fill.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I think the size is good. I would then add the obverse and reverse into the same picture.
Image quality isn't too bad for a scan. I'd prefer camera pictures.

 

What's your ultimate objective here? Going to exhibit them at a show or how will others have the opportunity to enjoy your set; perhaps in a continuous slide show such as a source for computer screen saver images?
Maybe a "show and share" program at your local library?
Your goal(s) will help you in your decision process.
Personally, I use a digital microscope attached to my PC, such as:

 

I think the size is too big particularly if I want to put "the obverse and reverse into the same picture" (which I think is a good idea).
That means I'll keep the large images and then make two reduced size images which I'll use to make one image.
With Photoshop that's rather easy.
Since these are mostly low value coins and there's a bunch of them (100+) my operative word is "quick" which is why I'll scan them rather than use my Nikon.

Mostly it's for a record of my collection.
And more than once I've wanted to add a coin image to a post to make a point or illustrate something.
But taking 10-15 minutes to make a camera image and then edit a $1 coin wasn't worth the effort.
But if I quickly scan/edit a bunch then I have them at hand.
And if I want to do a "dog and pony show" the images will be at hand.

Off to resize and merge the two images to see how it comes out.

 

Here's the concatenated image at 50%:


I like it better and if someone wants bigger images I've got them saved as backup.
Remember, these are inexpensive coins in a "fun" set.

 

You have justified addition of a digital microscope (less than $50) to your computer setup. The images that I posted took less time than time to type this reply.

 

Can you share which digital microscope you have? A link to it would be great, like if it's sold on Amazon or elsewhere.

Not sure why it would take up to 15 minutes for a photo of each coin. I've never done it so I don't know. It's not just a matter of "click click"?

Thanks,
Rick

 

Scanned images.

 

There's the time to get the camera in position (I'm a bit cramped for space).
Then do the "click click".
Then transfer the images to my computer.
Then use Photoshop to resize (two sizes, full and screen) and crop (circular) the images.
Lots of busy work that adds up.

 

@trussell, nice coin and nice scan.

 

@Rick B ,
Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope (available on Amazon and others)
Mine is "old" but works for me. Newer USB 3.0 available and a docking station and whole bunch of other goodies.
Best thing is the scope is quite portable and plugs into the USB port on my laptop while I'm "browsing" and find something of interest: plug it in, take picture, and go.
Also I purchased Lighthouse brand Microscope Stand from Brooklyn Gallery, link:
https://brooklyngallery.com/0205-mag001-7.html

 

I found your model on Amazon but not the newer one.
I think this is the newer one on the Plugable website, although it doesn't mention USB 3.0 anywhere.

Do you use it mainly for photographing coins? The grading teacher at ANA warns to actually NOT use strong magnification for grading coins because you'll find too much bad stuff and under grade your coins. He says don't go above 7x, let alone 250x! Just thought I'd mention that.

Too bad the new one isn't on Amazon. I like buying there because returns are so easy and free of shipping charges.

 

I think I'd have to see a photo of the same coin. This scanned coin looks really grainy and if it actually is a grainy coin, so be it, but if not, for me, photos would be the way to go. But if you just want to be able to look at your coins when they are stored, then scanning is a great way to go.

 

The eye appeal is good I like them all. The larger ones are easier to define in my opinion. Thanks for the post be safe.

 

One of the advantages you have with scanning is measurement. You can scan and display the coins at 600 dpi, and just tell us that info, and anyone who cares can tell what the physical size of the coin is or even take measurements of features of the coin. Try that with a digital camera and it'll drive you crazy.

 

Interestingly enough, I was considering including specification on the images.
Since you mentioned it I may just go ahead and do that.
Diameter and weight and metal.
I'll have to see how best to do that.
I can feel a test case coming up

Not surprisingly it'll take more time per coin.

 

Okay, here it is:


So the good news is that I can do it
The bad news is that I probably don't have enough lifetime left to do 200 coins

What do you think?

 

Looks good to me. How long did it take? Multiply by 200 and I'd bet you have time before the grim reaper comes knocking!

 

I'm 78.
Could be a close call.

 

Slight modification:


This is going to be a long, slow process.
At the moment how long it took to do this one is not significant.
This was a "first time" effort.
I should improve with more iterations.