Magnifying Glass And Loupes - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 9 / Views: 1,874
meagan1823 Valued Member United States 104 Posts	Posted 01/09/2013 5:31 pm So I am wanting to get a loupe or magnifying glass. What magnificatiom do yall recommend and what type of loupe? Where did you get yours from? And is there a right or wrong brand? Report this Post to the Staff

IndianGoldEagle Bedrock of the Community United States 36844 Posts	Posted 01/09/2013 5:33 pm I've got a 16x loupe that I have used since the early 1970's and it still serves me well. I've tried the 10x's and also have a 50x pocket scope, but always rely on the 16x for checking coins. The 16x is the one that looks worn out. Edited by IndianGoldEagle 01/09/2013 5:51 pm Report this Post to the Staff
NathanASE Pillar of the Community United States 1511 Posts	Posted 01/09/2013 5:56 pm I bought a 10x loupe for around $20... And then for Christmas bought a friend a $3 (shipped) loupe off of ebay... And it's easily as good as mine... I wish I bough that one for myself and I would have had a few extra dollars for coins.. You can actually get a 10x, 20x and 30x for $7 shipped.. And although there not name brand they work just as well as far as I can tell.. Any opinions from more experienced members? Is there really that much of a difference in the steel/glass? Report this Post to the Staff
Buddy Rest in Peace United States 7075 Posts	Posted 01/09/2013 6:17 pm I got a 10X loupe a couple of years ago and I thought it was fine -- until I got a 30X. It makes a huge difference. But I am ....(ahem) ...a woman of a certain age...and if you're young maybe it doesn't matter so much. The USB microscopes are pretty nifty too -- but hard to fit in your purse or pocket. Also, the built in lights make taking decent photos a serious challenge. They cost more but you don't have to squint to use them -- just look at your computer screen. The one thing I would caution you about is the magnifiers with built in lights. The batteries can be expensive. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 189493 Posts	Posted 01/09/2013 6:20 pm I use a 10x Harris loupe and a 2x/5x B&L magnifying glass. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
CoinsKelly Pillar of the Community United States 3453 Posts	Posted 01/09/2013 7:24 pm We like the 10x loupe with a light, http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-X-21mm-L...em2579260be9. We also have a loupe that is 10x, 30x and 50x. My hubby really likes that one. Report this Post to the Staff
NathanASE Pillar of the Community United States 1511 Posts	Posted 01/09/2013 9:35 pm I actually have a question in this topic also... What magnification do the TPG'ers use to grade at? I thought I heard somewhere it was 10x? For error hunting, die cracks, clashes etc I can definitely see where stronger magnification would be a super +, I need to get one for this purpose, but for regular grading I always thought 10x was the norm used by the TPG'ers? (Although I very we'll could be wrong, hence my question, lol) Also, I wanted to buy one of those USB camera scopes for easier photos... Is that a bad idea because of the lights in them? I'd never even thought of that... But it definitely makes sense.. So yea, nea? Report this Post to the Staff
stud722 Pillar of the Community United States 1088 Posts	Posted 01/09/2013 10:55 pm I purchased a few of the cheaper loupes off of ebay (think they were around $2 shipped). I have a friend that is a jeweler at a well know chain jewelery store. I took my loupe into the store and compared it to his high dollar loupe. To my amazement, the cheap loupe (in my eyes and his) worked just as well as the cheap one. I would suggest buying a cheap loupe for now anyways and spend the other money that you would have spent on a more expensive loupe on more coins. Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 01/10/2013 05:33 am meagan1823, For general viewing a 10x and for varieties/errors a 14x. I started out with a 10x doublet jewelers loupe many years ago and then had to go to a 14x now. I also have a USB digital microscope for some real up-close lookin'. I paid about $7 for my 14x.If money isn't a problem I would recommend a B&L Hastings Triplet but nothing over a 15x. John1 Report this Post to the Staff
meagan1823 Valued Member United States 104 Posts	Posted 01/11/2013 5:25 pm Thanks so much for yalls recommendations Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 9 / Views: 1,874

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