1963 D Nickel RPM

Note how it is raising upward from the corner? I'm thinking MD because the metal looks moved.

Hi MS - unless the coin is in high state, it can be difficult to pinpoint doubling (tripling). I see what you are seeing, but it's pretty common. I agree with Coop that there was movement causing damage at the site. I also see a hit to the mintmark and Die Deterioration (the wash adjacent to the bar).

Hi MS - my approach is to sort under a 4" magnified lamp. I don't recall if it's 3X or higher, but enough to do the gross review. I then put specimens under 20X magnification using my AmScope. I can go to 40X, but very, very seldom event. 20X seems to work for me. That said, I would be more inclined to go to a 10X check than a 40X check if that helps. It's usually better to see a bigger section of the coin than zooming in at 40X.

It was a good question. I've seen a few threads discuss magnification early on when I got here. After getting back into CRH, the experience factor is playing in. I almost bought a more powerful microscope. In retrospect, it would have been a mistake. I have a USB scope with higher magnification which actually a problem. No small a field t study. Additionally, the LED lights are too bright. Terrible for takin pictures. To get it to work marginally, I have to apply many tricks to get a poor quality picture. For that reason, it stays in the box I got it in.

I'm nearing 50 and the eyes aren't what they used to be. Magnification is a must. But a pair of reading glasses works about as well as the 4" loop. Better even. So what you should be after is OPTIMAL magnification. So wait for a few more answers and dial in on what is optimal for you. Best of luck to you!