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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,549 |
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Valued Member
Canada
105 Posts |
New to the hobby was wondering what the best thing to use for grading coins would be? A photo magnifier? Would a lamp be a convenient light source?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
I use a modern version of what used to be called a goose neck lamp.
The light source is directly over the coin(s).
May I also suggest looking at the coins in bright, natural sunlight?
It gives a different view of things.
I do not know what you mean by "photo magnifier."
What I have used is a simple 5X magnifier to scan coins. And should the need arise
I have a 30X to pin point possible errors and such.
Also, do not forget to trust your eyes without magnification!
The overall beauty of a coin, IMO, does not need any magnification at all
to reveal itself.
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Valued Member
 Canada
105 Posts |
yea basicaly I want to use it to spot errors, where would I get a magnifier?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Most coin stores should carry magnifiers.
Also at coin shows.
I bought my 30X at a show this spring.
Pull-Type Jewelry
Magnifier with LED light source.
Was about 8 dollars. Mad in China.
I have dropped it twice and it flew apart, but I managed to put it together.
My 5X is a Bausch and Lomb. No light. Very commonly used by dealers.
Around 9 dollars or so.
Beyond that, you can find others which cost more.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1795 Posts |
As far as magnifiers ...I've bought most of mine on E-Bay but check carefully cause you can usually find what you like at different prices and shipping charges. I use a goose neck lamp with a halogen bulb in it; along with a fluorescent desk lamp to check my coins. As stated by Mathewvincent sunlight does give the coins a different look but not always practical. I have a 10x and 35x hand magnifier plus a 15x and 35x loop that I use to examine my coins. I also have a 64x coin microscope and a 200 x DinoXscope which is very handy to photgraph you coins and enter them on your computer .
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Not practical, BadToTheBone?
You live in Seattle? I hear the folks go nuts with the 14 or 15 days of sunlight that they get every year.
Bottom line, a range of powers will serve an individual's needs.
If godless117 wants to hunt for errors, then the need for a 30X or 35X is clear.
I just hope that he doesn't strain his eyes.
Edited by matthewvincent
09/06/2012 11:26 am
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Valued Member
Canada
105 Posts |
luckily I was blessed with 10/20 vision, I can see at 20 feet what the average person needs to be ten feet to see. So a 35X magnifier would be best for error hunting? I like the sound of the one with LEDs built in. I'll check out my local hobby shop.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
Either a 30 or a 35. After you look through a bunch of coins, select those for closer examination. And really, if you are comfortable with a magnifier then that one
is best suited for you.
Have a couple of coins in your pocket to "test drive" a magnifier. Couldn't hurt.
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Valued Member
Canada
105 Posts |
will do thanks again for the input guys!
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,549 |
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Posted 09/06/2012 10:12 am
