Show off your proof coins!

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Very nice. from the photo how do you identify these things as proof and how did you take that photo?

Ruben

 

THIS WHOLE THREAD AND ALL POSTS JUST SUPER. THANKS. zg:bow:

 

Its hard to photo a dime with that much detail. I need to use a magnifying glass just to get any type of discriminating detail.

Ruben

 

It is instantly recongizable as a proof because in-person the coin is extremely reflective (like a mirror, which gave rise to thier name "brilliant" proofs) -- it has no frost/luster whatsoever. The sharp strike (although this die does show some wear and polishing) and square rims are also indicative of a proof, but there are some deceptive business struck coins.

As for how I took the photos, that's a bit of a detailed answer....

I used a Nikon D300 with a 200mm lens mounted to a tripod and, as I recall, two Reveal bulbs (one at 2 o'clock, and the other at 10) with cheap reflectors held about 4 feet from the coin. I had the camera attached directly to the computer and used Nikon Camera Control to focus and control the camera (and see the image in real-time) and actuate the shutter. I then used Nikon Capture NX 2 to interpret the RAW file into a TIFF file to be exported to Photoshop Elements. In Elements, I crop out the background, resize the photo, and apply light USM if necessary, convert to 8 bit color, apply SRGB color profile, then save in JPG.

Here is the camera settings (IPTC) from the original capture:

Nikon D300
2008/07/13 00:43:12.51
World Time: UTC-5, DST:ON
Lossless Compressed RAW (14-bit)
Image Size: L (4288 x 2848)
Lens: 200mm F/4D
Artist:
Copyright:
Focal Length: 200mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted
Shutter Speed: 1/100s
Aperture: F/8
Exposure Comp.: 0EV
Exposure Tuning:
Sensitivity: 0.3EV under 200
Optimize Image:
White Balance: Preset manual d-0, 0, 0
Focus Mode: AF-C
AF-Area Mode: Dynamic, 9 points
AF Fine Tune: OFF
VR Control:
Long Exposure NR: OFF
High ISO NR: OFF
Color Mode:
Color Space: sRGB
Tone Comp.:
Hue Adjustment:
Saturation:
Sharpening:
Active D-Lighting: OFF
Picture Control: STANDARD
Base:
Quick Adjust: 0
Sharpening: 3
Contrast: 0
Brightness: 0
Saturation: 0
Hue: 0
Filter Effects:
Toning:
Flash Mode:
Flash Exposure Comp.:
Flash Sync Mode:
Image Authentication: OFF
Dust Removal: 2007/12/26 05:12:38
Image Comment: (c) 2008 Mike R.



If that didn't answer your question, let me know.

Take care...Mike

p.s. thanks for the kind words.

 

Here are some larger photos, in case someone is interested:





As you can see from the larger photos, it is far from perfect -- it has some die polish, a bit of die fatigue, and the toning is a bit splotchy on the neck. Then again it isn't graded 68 either. Regardless, I think it is very appealing.

 

Mike,

Your photos are killer. They remind me a lot of Bob's (Robec) on the NGC forum. I really like your copper photos in your registry set.

Paul

 

That dime is stunning!!!

 

That's excellent and I need to buy a better camera. I have one question. Why did you drop the image to 8bit color mode?

Ruben

 

But Mike - I aint buying that camera. Last time I spent $1700 for a camera is was my Canon AE-1

Ruben

 

Some really beautiful coins in this thread. Leadfoot, someday I'll learn how to take pictures 1/2 as well as you do........someday.

I used to own lots of proof sets, but sold them all. Here is my only proof, a Frankie - 1959 is my birth year. It is 1 of 5 that have received the NGC * designation at this grade:



The next pics were taken using an incandescent lamp and, while the pics aren't the best, I kind of like the warm glow effect. The obverse pic appears to have a scratch in front of Ben's forehead and some grainyness in the fields, but it ain't so! Must be reflections off of the holder.

 

Gentlemen...

There are some wonderful coins on display here!!
I agree with Doug on the Merc as well as some of the PCGS slabbed coins in the beginning of this thread! Simply beautiful!


RickieB

 

very nice...I think it might be undergraded.

Ruben

 

Catbert...could not help but notice...I copied your image..hope you do not mind? But, look above the "T" as well...
RickieB

 

Rickie - there really isn't anything there. I just took it out and inspected it again.......nothing. How about a bit of "proof"?