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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
As long as we can maintain a solid discussion on the grade and characteristics of the coin, I'm all for a little side discussion on photography methods as it helps to publicize that we've a thriving Photography Forum where a casual reader can learn a lot about shooting coins. So, by way of leading the discussion, I'll start with the coin itself first: I see a solid NGC MS65 here. That gouge under the eye is in a poor place for a good grade, but it's the only true distraction so I think it still makes the grade. The reverse is typically better, with only the divots near the wreath to distract. Now. Have a look here, Afterimage, for a bit of discussion on how to best leverage a phone camera in coin photography. Just be aware, you're going to end up a bit jealous of what an iPhone camera is capable of, even though your Galaxy is obviously no slouch....: https://goccf.com/t/160092 |
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Pillar of the Community
1751 Posts |
Purely for comparisons sake, here's a shot I JUST took with my S3 of a Toned Morgan. The only editing with either photo is cropping.  And one with my setup a while back;  The sensor/lens combination just isn't good enough to really get a lot of details. I'll screw around with my phone some more later after work and see what kind of shots I can get with it. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
11922 Posts |
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Valued Member
 United States
360 Posts |
Quote:
Now. Have a look here, Afterimage, for a bit of discussion on how to best leverage a phone camera in coin photography. Thank you for the link!  That thread gave me a ton of good ideas; and yes, that iPhone camera is most impressive! Same coin, rock solid camera base, slightly different lighting.  I will say no more until I post the grade sometime tomorrow! Thanks again! |
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Pillar of the Community
1751 Posts |
Much better work on the lighting this time, the area in front of the face could use some more light, though. To give you an idea, I use 3 lights on Morgans. Two on halves and smaller. I stand by my 65, by the way.
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4944 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36844 Posts |
MS-65 and the lighting appears to be a bit off in your first photos.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
rock solid camera base That was the part I was hoping you'd catch, but I'd rather teach you to fish than give you a fish. Contrast is always going to be a problem for you in shots like this, partly because of the slab obfuscating things and partly because of the compromises inherent in tiny lenses feeding tiny sensors. Pay no attention to the iPhone results; I'm convinced Apple employs witchcraft.  You can improve this matter by applying more lighting. I prefer two lights to Fade's three, arranged at 10 and 2, but either way supplying enough light that the camera can start reducing settings to compensate for that much light will only help contrast. There's an upper limit to that, of course, at which point stuff will start washing out. This is a solid 65. The obverse fields are near-pristine. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2541 Posts |
MS 64 based on the original photos, but the subsequent photos make me think 65.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
71 Posts |
Probably a 65...but maybe 64 on a bad NGC day.
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Valued Member
United States
339 Posts |
I don't think MS 66 is out of the question on this.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9793 Posts |
MS64+ from the first photo set, I just can't see this coin going MS65 just too many ticks on the cheek and around the eye and ear areas. The fields are really nice and clean, that is rare on most Morgans. Second photo set now I think MS65.
1879-S is a date that is pretty common in very high grades, and needs to be pretty mark free to get above a MS65 grade assigned. I hope I'm wrong for your sake and it graded out at MS65, but honestly I see it as MS64 or just squeaking in at low end MS65 but no higher.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Valued Member
United States
360 Posts |
Here's the grade, peeps.  Thanks for all of the comments and the photography discussion. Much appreciated! |
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Posted 10/21/2013 6:27 pm
