That is a GREAT educational picture....it makes the coin look very flat. I'm willing to bet if you just gave people just that picture you'd have more than one guess at EF Details- cleaned. I love educational posts like this one has turned out to be!
What kind of lighting are you using? I think that's why you're not capturing the luster. I can see a little glimmer of cartwheel here and there, mostly in your one reverse picture but it seems like the light is not quite strong enough. Light is #1 in coin photography....the camera is #2 believe it or not. Light requires a delicate balance - if it's too strong, you get overexposure and it cuts through the patina. Too weak (or angled improperly) and you lose the luster.
Ha! I bet! Thanks Joe...maybe in 20 or so years when I retire from coins (or get too old to actually see them) I'll look you and Thad up to duke it out over it.
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