loupe for coin grading

Generally, I get an overall look at the coin with my eyes and then maybe a 4x for a closer look. I got tired of messing with loupes, so I bought a USB microscope to get really clear, close images of mint marks, damage, errors, etc... I consider looking very closely at coins to be relaxing and a form of entertainment.

Halogen lamps, I forget the brand, I have one that broke and is in a storage unit, never did get it repaired, back when I got it I worked at a coin shop and wholesale it was around $90.00 not exactly cheap I think the retail was $179.00 though with advances in lamp and bulb manufacturing technologies I'm sure they are a lot cheaper today. Many also use a good incandecent bulb from 70-150 watts as well.

Mark Feld (super guy) co-taught a grading class I attended at an ANA Seminar Seminar, they absolutely do NOT use magnification when grading, only to verify parts of the coin, RPD, RPM, DDO, DDR, etc. they do use a loupe on the surface or suspicious areas looking for putty filled ticks or other things that catch the eye. Most use a 5-7x power triplet. In fact he stressed that one should not use a loupe while grading. I have several friends that either are still grading or used to grade at the top TPG's, none use a loupe upon initial examination for grade.




Back when I was dealing in coins full time, this was before the modern coin grading at TPG's so as to magnification on modern proofs I can't answer that, but I would believe they are checked under magnification.

The comments that professional graders don't use magnification is dangerous advice for anyone to give. Many problems cannot be seen with the naked eye, even when the lighting is excellent and your vision is perfect.

You could lose your shirt NOT using magnification. Don't let that happen. If you are a professional grader with years of experience, have perfect lighting always available, excellent eye-sight, grade larger coins, and aren't concerned about problem coins? Go right ahead....