To photograph a coin's edge, use the reflector from a large flashlight.

THANKS TO @COCollector I finally got around to try his solution out.
I would have done it sooner by I couldn't find my flashlight.
With the help of Photoscape here are the results.
Sorry only had a 2 cell flashlight, but it worked.

 

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!gnirahs rof sknaht ..kcirt taerg a s'taht .. that's a great trick.. thanks for sharing!

 

A nice inexpensive solution.

 

Nice thanks for the tip

Sent from my C6740N using Tapatalk

 

I don't know. I still think using plastic tongs that are self locking is better.

Chris

 

What's a flashlight? I have an app on my phone...

 

Actually, @cpm9ball, your's is by far the ONLY good method when you wish to get a sharp, magnified image of something on a small area of the edge. Occasionally it may take two photos to capture the entire characteristic as the curvature of the edge makes the "ends" of the image go out of focus.

The ONLY way to capture the entire edge that I know of is the "reflector" method.

Now just a little advice. "Serious" collectors should join the ANA, read all the basic numismatic papers and magazines and join a specialty club if their interest is focused on one particular series of coins. I cannot say how many times the "reflector" method has been written up and described in the numismatic press since the 1970's. I'll bet it has been on the Internet a few years after computers became popular.

No disrespect intended but with all the modern outlets of information that us "dinosaurs" never had (including CT Forum) I was a little shocked that some had not heard of this trick. It's a good one so pass it on to your collecting friends.

 

I only heard about it a few days ago and from the @fellow that 'D' mentions at the top of the thread. I wonder if the reason could be is that most of the edge lettering that the mint has done lately is so potty poor nobody wants to do images. Heck, the Denver mint did a splendid job with the 1992 XXV Olympiad dollar coin (done over reeding to boot) so I know they (mint) have it in 'em.

 

They look like this, some are plastic some are metal, etc.

 

I use something similar. I use a pair of tweezers with plastic ends and a rubber band.

 

WHAT IS THIS WITCHCRAFT?!?!

 

That's not a flashlight, that's a Myddetlon token (and a beastly one to photo -- I tried).

 

The Mint screwed the pooch on packaging this one. They should have made a capsule with the outer part shaped like a pentaprism surrounding the coin. While in the capsule, the legend on the coin would be right-reading. Sketch forthcoming.

 

Here's what I meant above. A solid, acrylic ring around the coin, mirrored on the left and lower faces. The edge inscription reflects of the left face, where it reads backwards, then off the lower face, where it reads correctly, then through the top, non-mirrored face.

 

Very cool. Send your idea to the Mint. Wonder how much that would have added to the coin's price?

 

Don't the gold dollars in the coin and currency sets come in a holder you can see the edge?

 

I assume you can see the edge from the edge of the coin on all of them. I don't know if the C&C sets have special holders so that you can see it from the obverse. This would be a nice bonus for coins that are in fancy cases. Someone going to the Mint forum in Philadelphia can feel free to bring this up.

 

You can see the edge lettering quite nicely with the XXV Olympiad dollar. The mint holder makes for excellent viewing.

Guess the boys (and girls) didn't want to spring for new holders regarding the 30th anniversary .........and like @dwhiz......I ain't takin' it out of the holder.

 

Just tried to withdraw money from my bank ATM machine and it kept my card.

 

Nice pix! Glad it worked for you.

But I can't take credit for this trick. Just can't remember where I saw it.

Link to previous thread: ASE proof