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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Insider, post: 24896835, member: 24314&quot;]<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie11" alt=":rolleyes:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> This is one of the most uninformed <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie10" alt=":oops:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie12" alt="o_O" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> (I&#039;m <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie79" alt=":rage:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> being nice<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie14" alt=":angelic:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> ) comments I have ever read on a coin form.&nbsp; Actually, it is probably number one! </p><p><br /></p><p>Here is an example I use in grading class to make it simple:&nbsp; You go to a jeweler to buy a diamond.&nbsp; He takes out his 10 best stones.&nbsp; They are all GIA Certified flawless white and identical in size and price.&nbsp; He uses a microscope to check his stones, so he lets you use it and sets it at 10X - <b>the standard power used to determine a diamond is flawless.</b>&nbsp; Well, you are ignorant about diamonds, but <b>you are not STUPID!</b> You crank the power up.&nbsp; Thats when you start to see tiny black inclusions.&nbsp; At 20X, only a few are left w/o black specks.&nbsp; At 40X, only one &quot;flawless&quot; diamond (at 10X) still has them.&nbsp; Which diamond are you going to buy?&nbsp;&nbsp; I guess things you don&#039;t see may be there if you look for them.&nbsp; <b><span style="color: #ff0000">After using a microscope for a while, you&#039;ll be able to see things on coins at 5X that others without your experience cannot.</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;ve been examining coins since 1972 using an optical microscope. Proper use of a stereo microscope (NOT DIGITAL) with fluorescent light lets you see the surface of your coins.&nbsp; It speeds up the learning process.&nbsp; 7X is my usual setting but I am using both of my eyes. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Call me in the evening after 6PM EST and I&#039;ll give you some choices that depend on your finances, how much you will use it, and what you are looking at. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #ff0000">Phone # redacted by moderator from the public forum.&nbsp; Please contact each other via private message (you may share phone numbers and/or email that way). ~Mod</span>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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