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Message:: [QUOTE="GDJMSP, post: 7824244, member: 112"]As a general rule of thumb all you need to look at coins is a 5x loupe, and it's also the specified size for grading - in both the ANA and the PCGS grading standards. And you want your lens to be as large (in diameter) as you can get it - so you can see the whole coin at one time. That said, are there times that a more powerful loupe is needed ? Sure there are, and when those times arise I have a 10x with a built in incandescent light. This is what I've used for as long as I can remember. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bausch-Packette-Magnifier-Magnifying-813133/dp/B000HU1UQG/ref=psdc_3776271_t1_B000M755GK" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.amazon.com/Bausch-Packette-Magnifier-Magnifying-813133/dp/B000HU1UQG/ref=psdc_3776271_t1_B000M755GK" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Bausch-Packette-Magnifier-Magnifying-813133/dp/B000HU1UQG/ref=psdc_3776271_t1_B000M755GK</a> It has a good quality lens about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, has it's own sliding case so it can easily be carried in a pocket with the lens protected, and it's not expensive. But most of all, it does everything you'll need it to do, and does it well. Loupes are kinda like cars, you can buy a Ferrari if ya want, but you can buy a Chevy too and it'll still get ya where you're going and do everything you need it to do.[/QUOTE]