A grade question for you guys, and a query about taking good pictures. I was taking new pictures of this 1814 JR-5 bust dime and noticed that regardless of the lighting conditions, it was just impossible to bring out the true colours with straight-on photos. Some of you guys are really good at this, judging from your pictures, so maybe you can give me a few pointers. Besides my camera, I have no special set-up. No matter what, the straight-on pictures show dark splotches around the perimeter, when in reality the coin shows nice blue/green/gold iridescense when viewed with the naked eye. I can only bring this out when I shoot the pics at an angle. Thanks for your grade opinions, and any tips on the color issue.
Maybe try using a black background to absorb excess light rather than reflect it. I also shoot with room lights off, or I use a home made tent during the daytime. Thus, I can control the ambient light better.
Great suggestion. I just want to expand it a bit. "a non-reflective black background" Dark gray is okay too.
What are you using as far as your setup for pics? All you really need is a camera and lots of light, something to be able to tilt the coin with- I have my grey background stapled to a cardboard to have a sturdy surface- and a camera. I have quite a few people asking about pictures, so I finally made a quick video on how I take pictures. I do have a copy stand but for the video I just use 3 goose neck lamps with Day Light bulbs, a tripod, my camera, 100mm Macro lens, and a grey microfiber cloth for my background. Something an average person can have without spending a lot of money on a copy stand. This was taken with the setup above. It was edited in Photoshop but the picture itself is just cropped and placed onto a black background. Coin Photography Video Hope this helps a little.... it really is amazing what a little tilt can do for your pictures. If the color isn't popping as much as you'd like, make sure your lighting angles are good. In the Numismatic Photography book it talks about how different light angles show differently in pictures. I did get a tip from from robec or wingedliberty, they said to use bubble wrap to be able to get your coin in different angles to really get all of the color to pop.
Thanks for all the tips so far! I really appreciate it. I really have not set up, just my hand-held camera and a window-sill for natural sunlight. I am able to shoot copper OK that way, but silver is much more tricky for me. I have tried to use artificial light, including Led's, but that did not work (or more likely, I was doing it all wrong). Next step: watch the video which you kindly linked BigTee44, and learn how to do it right.
I was once told that a coin without luster shouldn’t grade AU, even with nice details. And I am missing some details. Nice dime though.
On coins this old, I don't require much luster at all, if any, to make AU50. But I grade like PCGS, and many people don't agree with the way they do it. That said, XF45 would be my bare minimum, (and yes, technically even XF40s should have luster), but I don't require it. For example: grading this coin VF35 would be laughable IMO. But that's just me.
I could say the same for AU50 ...but let’s just agree that you and PCGS are apparently more lenient with classic coins and this dime is probably a nice XF example.
