Attached are photos I took of two Liberty Walking Half Dollars. I believe both are uncirculated. The second has a mark on it, maybe from being next to another coin in a box. Both were in sealed mylar sleeves inside tan 2X2 coin envelopes. The colors in the pictures vary due to my photographic skills. The coins are both the same color (very silvery white) and look uncirculated except for the mark I mentioned on the second. How do you think these would grade? Any tips on photographing highly reflective coins? I seem to do OK with the ones that are circulated, but I had difficulty getting good pictures of these. Thanks for your help and comments.
Is the 1943 REV next to it or is it below by the photo of the 1945? I would say that they would grade-- 1945-AU58--maybe its a week strike therefor it would be higher... 1943-MS61--I also think it has a week strike...the lines on the dress and also parts of the eagle. Speedy
I believe these two coins to be in uncirculated condition. It is hard to say how high a grade that they would go buy looking at the pics. You need to look at the fields and also be able to examine them closer to get the proper grade. It is easier to grade circulated coins by looking at a pic than it is a MS grade coin.
Thanks Speedy and bulldawg. Speedy, the coins are both 1945 and the pictures are sequential(obv,rev,obv,rev). On my screen the appear in order one below the next. They both have a number of bag marks. As I went through the rest of these I looked at them with a 5X glass and one or two were markedly better than the others. I will try to take better photos and post pictures of the coins with less marks. Thanks for your comments.
Ah....that one looked like a 3 for a min....now I see!!.. I would stay with my grades I'm sure... Speedy
Hits on the folds of Liberties skirt in pic one show it to be somewhere in the MS60-62 range. The other pics do not show this. Pics can be deceiving, but you showed pics in a couple different angles. A lesson in how to grade by pics. Reverse looks sweet.
bzcollektor, thanks for the tip on different angles. I did not explain in my post, but these are two different coins. I think I have seen some of your posts with pics and they looked good. Do you have any tips you can give me on photos of brilliant coins? I am using a Sony DSC-W7 on macro with no flash, one desk lamp with a daylight bulb, and a plastic grocery bag on it for diffusion. Would using a second lamp help?
I have an older Olympus D-510. It has limited macro capabilities. I use no flash, and natural sunlight. Using a tripod is essential, as all digital cameras have a lag time between the time you push the shutter, and the pic is actually recorded. Any movement, no matter how slight, in hand held mode, will affect the quality of your picture. I use natural sunlight, but others here have said they use GE brand "Reveal" lamps. You have to play with your angles and lighting. You may have to take 20 pics to get 3 or 4 you are happy with. That is why digital photography is a godsend. Take a bunch of pics under different conditions, save the best. Learn what works, and what doesn`t!
bzcollektor, thanks for the pic compliment. Also, thanks for the tips. I think I can do better so I will keep trying. I use a cheap mini-tripod and flourescent reveal lamps. I will add another lamp and see if that helps. Thanks again for the tips.
Hello, Nice pics.The two in the middle are the same coin. The first & fourth are also the same coin.The color values of the pics match.Good luck,Bob.
Here are some pics of a different coin. Working to produce better pics. Added another desk lamp and turned off the overhead lights. All four pics are of the same coin. Hopefully better shots. Thanks again for all of the comments and any others are welcome and appreciated.
the key to photographing highly reflective coins is good diffusion of light. That reduces the glare without removing the lighting of the details. One method that I've seen recommended is to place the coin on a black background, then take a milk jug and cut off the borrom. Place the jug over the coin and shine the light onto the jug. This will diffuse the light pretty well (2 light sources are even better). Then take the picture through the top of the milk jug. good luck!
Your 46 there has a lot better strike than the 45's did, but it has a lot more bag marks on the obv. The fourth pic of your 45's looks as if it has a die crack across the rev. It runs through the second t in states and down to the wing.
Cave Troll, thanks for the tip. I bought a gallon of milk today so I will try that next. bulldawg, thanks I will look at the coin later for the crack.
