Consider using a non-reflective dark background when you image your coins. I use a piece of dark grey construction paper like kids in elementary school use. Doesn't matter whether you use a scanner or digital camera. A white background plays havoc with the exposure and makes copper coins in particular too dark. Then you have to fuss with them using image s/w and it never comes out looking like the real coin. At least in my case that's a major problem.
kanga Thanks for the tips. Photo-documenting my collection is on my to-do list you've helped a lot already.
You're welcome. There's others in here that are better at it than I. But I want to pass on to you one key item. LESSON LEARNED: DON'T TRY TO DO IT ALL AT ONCE. If you're anything like me, you'll lose patience after a while. Then either the quality of your work will suffer OR you'll push it aside for a long while. Keep it to an hour or so a day.