For variety searching/attribution, an inexpensive yet optically correct 16x would be ideal. Unless one is very serious and into even the most minor of varieties, anything stronger is unnecessary. Use your 10x for general searching and pull out a more powerful glass to verify any possible finds (your eyes will be very grateful).
Larry, May I ask you for a more detailed opinion on the Eschenbach? I've owned a Zeiss 36D and loved it, but have heard great things about your glass too. Any observations would be appreciated. Thanks!
I just found an old 3,4,7x Bausch & Lomb at my great uncle's house. Works better (in terms of detail, magnification and field of view) than the $10 cheapo 5,10,15x magnifier from Radioshack I bought.
Sorry to bump but what magnification would you need for double dies, over dates, etc.. Too see CLEARLY.
If you are serious and think you will be using it for quite a many years, I suggest you consider a stereo microscope with a nice zoom range and that has additional possible add on oculars and objectives. A B & L stereozoom such as found on ebay with " B & L Stereo zoom" in the search box. A new one or a refurbished one should last you 30 years ( mine are that and still good). If you divide the cost of a nice setup ( probably around the $500 range) by 30 years, it is a good deal. I have oculars from 5X to 20 X to cover 3cent- 50 cent and a 1/2 power reducer to cover the dollar and larger. You can find one with a camera port ( triocular) or just stay steady and shoot through an ocular. I use a Canon or Sony point and shoot with IS ( image stabilization) and no one has commented yet that an image was fuzzy. I have several different light sources depending on the size and reflectiveness of the coin, and you can use it for stamps, gemstones, minerals,etc. It was made for college and professional use, and far more sturdy and reliable thanthe chinese copies that use pot metal and plastic gears. Don't buy them IMO. Electronic techs used these extensively, but lately, the new models are made overseas also, so they have switched to European ( $ 5000 starter for as good). If you can't afford that much , get a couple of Belomo 7X and one above 10X, I can cover from 3.5X to 60X sharply with the B & H.IMO. Jim
