You don't go telling people to pull their coins out of PCGS/NGC slabs to get a better shot, there's no need to tell them to take it out of a 2x2 or airtite. It's very possible to take good photos of coins in cases. Those who are unable to do so probably aren't going to take much better photos anyway. It would go a lot further if you took the time to give them a little advice on how to take a better photograph instead of insisting they remove their coins from their protective devices without even knowing if these members understand how to properly handle the coin.
Saying that this coin has been cleaned with these bad pics is absolutely not warranted. I can see some luster in the first couple of pics the OP provided. @ilmcoins, better pics please with less direct lighting. Remove the coin from the holder and take pics at several angles with less intense lighting.
SilverDollar2017, posted:"Saying that this coin has been cleaned with these bad pics is absolutely not warranted. I can see some luster in the first couple of pics the OP provided." Of course you can see some luster! Want to see more. Take a cleaned coin and polish it up really good. Then hold it under a 100W bulb. The "headlight luster (glare)" coming off the surface of that coin will give you a headache! The surface of the OP's coin has luster (the reflection of light from its surface). Unfortunately it does not have the color or appearance of ORIGINAL MINT LUSTER. Fortunately, it may just be the lighting as the surface color is uniformly dull. There are no "halos" around the relief - a characteristic of mechanical cleaning of some kind.
I think you’re giving bad advice because it’s easier to say “take it out” than help them take better photos. You’re not really being helpful and are actually risking people damage coins. Perhaps you could take a few minutes to explain good photography with dual lights, or perhaps just not say anything at all?
Only one sure way to find out? Send it in to PCGS, NGC, or whomever. I say UNC genuine, or harshly cleaned.
Feel free to take your own advice there I’ll be piping in any time I see you tell people to pull a coin out of a case. I think we owe new collectors better effort and information.
well, since you are the photography expert, you tell them how to take better pictures, after I tell them to take it out of the case.
Perhaps you could at least bother to provide a little insight to them such as how to safely open the case and properly handle the coin. Your careless advice offers more danger than help. I’d hate to think someone would end up damaging a coin in an effort to follow your advice.
You need to get your head screwed on straight. Why are you acting like this? Removing coins from the holder for imaging, when possible, is normal. It's not up to us to teach folks how to do it. Every holder is different. You teach them. Ignore me as well in this the way you wish to act.
There’s nothing wrong with removing a coin from a holder IF you know what you’re doing. Most people that come here and can’t take a decent photo to save their lives have no idea how to handle a coin. How is thinking we should make the effort to pass on numismatic care to new members somehow a bad thing? I’d really like to understand why you think we should keep that information to ourselves? Isn’t this the place for people to learn? If we aren’t going to make the effort to teach people new to this hobby, then sometimes it might be best not to chime in at all. Frankly, this is a difference in opinion and you’re welcome to yours, but kindly keep your personal attacks to yourself.
No one has said that but you. If you have the time to help teach, go for it. Many of us are here every day teaching and helping the new members. Are you? Looking forward to seeing you help.
Lol, that is exactly what you’re saying. Nice try on the redirect, though. Very good that you didn’t bother to actually clarify why you are saying, since you clearly said something other than what you’re communicating. I do love the “many of us” vs “you” effort of othering you tried. Also cute of you to say “looking forward to seeing you help” as if I don’t already. I’m definitely not on here every day, not that this is somehow an indicator of my helpfulness, but go ahead and peruse my postings and you’ll see I go through the effort to help and explain quite a bit to new members. I try to provide links and explanations whenever possible. Much further than the “nope” “parking lot coin” and “take it out of the case” comments that Frank often likes to leave. I’m actually writing an article about photography of coins and will be happy to tag you so you can add to the discussion. Frankly, you’re just wasting your breath being mad at someone saying we should give newcomers more information before telling them to handle coins in a manner they do not have the knowledge for. There are also plenty of ways to take great photos of encased coins (even in 2x2s). Your statements are matters of opinion and yours is no more right or wrong than mine. Please step down from your pedestal. I’m not trying to say I’m somehow better than frank, the way you tried to say you are better than me, but trying to explain to him why I believe telling a novice to handle a coin in a protective case without more information. I’m certain this is the end of our chat, but feel free to surprise me with some quibbling or ad hominem.
Hope you get over it. The folks here only have so much time to try to help. Some don't have as much time as others. I'm sure you have that same problem trying to figure out where to spend the time you have. It's not right or friendly to jump on those that just have a short answer. We all get to that point at times. Hope you can pickup some of the slack.
This isn’t about you Frank, it never was. I don’t care if you ignore me, I care that new members get better advice. Have a great day
It’s not right to give bad advice on the account of “not having more time” to give better advice. If you don’t have time; I completely understand. Sometimes saying nothing is better than chiming in. Kind of like right now