1866 Three Cent Nickel

Even in AU, it's RETAIL value is 60, 70... probably not worth slabbing.

Really need to work on my setup, but here is an "out of the box" picture with the microscope. Hard to get it to focus because it is on a gooseneck right now, so adjusting the focus usually moves the scope. Have the Lighthouse stand on the way, though, which will make it much easier to dial it in. Even though it is a little out of focus, much easier to see the details on these shots.

I have always enjoyed reading about the history of this country, especially leading up to the war and the nation's recovery and rebuilding afterwards. While I have not firmly settled on the target of what I will be collecting, I am really leaning towards more of an era than any specific series. Right now, 1850 through 1900 just feels the most attractive, although there are some series that I do enjoy a bit later.

I am at high AU, possibly low MS with the new pictures. I think the weakness in the hair is not from wear but from the strike. The die had seen better days (nice crack on the reverse). I do not think slabbing would add to the value but if you would like to, let us know what she turns out as. Very nice example!

AU-58

Thank you, everyone, for the continued feedback. I did get my extension tubes in today and was playing around a bit with getting a better picture. I still need to work on the lighting, but this is much more true to the coin than the pixelated pictures from the microscope. Definitely need to get a better background to place them on. Laminate shows every single fingerprint. I do handle the coins with gloves on, though.

Not trying to change anyone's mind, just providing much better pictures for when I look back at this thread in the future. :)



Thanks, again!

I actually liked the other pictures better; they showed some color and luster whereas these latest ones simply blow all that out and it's just blast white now.

Agreed. I think that a good part of that is my inexperience with photography and my poor lighting. Color-wise, the digital microscope caught the color better. With the camera, I think that apart from having a singular light source with that picture, the white balance is off. There is definitely some washout going on, at the cost of the additional detail. My LED lights will be here today and my Ottlites will be here tomorrow (I think).

Should have some silver in the mail today to experiment with, picture-wise, too.