Over in the "Top Four" thread, Ed Zak wrote: When I interviewed J. P. Martin for the article I wrote on Cameo Proofs, he made just that point. At a high enough magnification, no coin (or anything else) is "perfect." He recommended that collectors use the common 3x or 5x lenses that we all carry in our pockets. If a coin looks good under low magnification, then it is good. The advantage to low magnification is only and exactly that it helps us focus our attention. Naked eye viewing is really all you need -- if you know HOW to look. I highly recommend the ANA video, "Grading Mint State U.S. Coins." One reason that collectors complain about grading services is that collectors do not understand how professional graders "see" a coin and what they take into account when they make their judgments. It is also important to know the details of a series. Some runs, some years, some mints, some coins were struck harder, better, faster, flatter or just plain worse than others. They were struck from dies that were hubbed better or worse. Some dies were used up and others should have been thrown out before they were. A Big Four grading service employee will see 100 to 500 coins a day, 300 days a year, every year. These are most often the best of their kind, or they would not be submitted. Very few collectors (or dealers) have that opportunity. Michael
You make a very good point - one that I have reiterated time and time again. That being that grading should be done with the naked eye. And for those times when a loupe is needed - rarely is anything over 5x needed or wanted. Stonger magnification should only be used when you suspect a coin might be counterfeit or altered - or to help identify certain varieties. The simple fact of the matter is - more is not better when grading coins.
Very well stated, Michael, and I agree 100 percent. I have been grading our coins this way and so far, everyone seems to be happy. I will use the digital pictures also, but I very rarely have changed my opinion based on them. And eye-appeal can never be determined under strong magnification.
