| Author |
Replies: 10 / Views: 2,174 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
411 Posts |
These are dealer pics (that I monkeyed around with on JASC PHOTOSHOP) of a quarter I just bought. What say ye? Oh, and incidentally, can someone help me sort out what kind of camera/equipment I would need to take big detailed closeups like Becky's in her 1887 Morgan just recently posted here? Image: SL1.jpg46.59 KB Image: SL2.jpg41.69 KB
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
I can't grade the coin based on the pics, (eyes aren't quite what they need to be for smaller pics), taking pics like those posted by Becky are done with a microscope.    Any good digitable camera will work. Personally I use a Nikon Coolpix 4300 and 4500. From there, it is just a matter of a good microscope. I use the MP-600T from http://coinoptics.com/order/cat4.htmlMicroscopes are not exactly cheap, and are NOT needed for most collectors. If you like varieties, there is no better tool.
|
|
Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
Stephen, I hope you don't mind but I lightened up the pics a bit and sharpened the contrast. I don't know if it was my monitor or not, but I couldn't see the details.   My opinion on the grade is VF30. There is some flatness to the leg that keeps it from an EF in my opinion.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
Looks like two different coins. The obverse has good detail in the chainmail area, yet from the pics, the eagle looks very weak. The Head seems sharp, but the pic is a bit blurry in the area. The leg and skirt do look very flat, but it is too hard to tell if this is in the picture or the coin. If this coin was offered to me based on these pics, I think a weak VF would work. If you can add some better pics, I could narrow it down a little more for you.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
954 Posts |
Stephen, first of all you need a camera with a macro function, that means it can take close-ups. I use the Nikon Coolpix 4300 too. Next you need at least 2 lights, sometimes I need 4, depends on what you are photographing. Those $5 desk lamps from Walmart work fine for me. Then you need a tripod or copy stand to hold the camera still, you will never be able to get a really clear pic without one. Then all you do is practice, practice, practice  The really close ups are from a QX3 microscope. It takes great pics, but only very small areas of the coin, not the whole thing. I use it for VAMs. Any way I can help, I will, just ask 
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
411 Posts |
First: Susan, I practically worship you for how much you've already taught me, so always feel free to enhance me in any way.  (first ever smiley face I've ever inserted into any form of communiciation in my entire life I swear). Second: thanks Becky. I have a Canon Elph digital camera w/ macros but it's just not a good enough camera. I need to get way closer than my little elph can abide. I'm thinking of getting a better one if I get a Christmas bonus or something like that. Third: thanks to National Coin Dealer: I imagined such equipment, but I've never seen it. I'm not very good with machinery, but I'm not hopeless. It just takes me longer. Can't afford a new cam now, much less a microscope, so for the time being if I post a coin here, it's usually the dealer's pix, if I think they look self-communicative enough to warrant your attention.
|
|
Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
Stephen, for as long as you are at the mercy of the dealer's pics, feel free to email them to me if you don't think they're clear enough to post here. I can usually do something with my photo editor to make them workable. (I got a lot of practice messing with ebay photos before I purchase). 
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
954 Posts |
Stephen, the QX3 is a toy  I bought it at Toyz-R-Us. They are discontinued now, they are selling a QX5, but you can still buy the QX3 on ebay for about $30. You hook it up to your computer. They take great close up pics!! Then you just export them to your desktop. I use Photobucket to host my pics, so I send them there, and link them directly into my post. If you are into errors and can't afford a real microscope, like me, this is a great option. 
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
411 Posts |
quote: Originally posted by Susanlynn9
Stephen, I hope you don't mind but I lightened up the pics a bit and sharpened the contrast. I don't know if it was my monitor or not, but I couldn't see the details.


My opinion on the grade is VF30. There is some flatness to the leg that keeps it from an EF in my opinion.
I need to ask a question about this coin but I'm afraid no one's still visiting this thread. Anyway, the actual coin came and it's way better than the pics. For one thing, it has a bright satiny luster. Miss Lib's forward leg is not as flat as it looks. My question is about the black stuff on the reverse on the eagle's tail feathers. Under magnification, there is a little piece of crud that lodged in a crevice and the black is toning from that nasty item. Can that little piece be removed safely by some sort of professional? It's quite a striking coin, worthy of AU in my opinion but for that irritating little spec. Although it's hard to see, that toning has somehow extended to darken the first A in QUARTER DOLLAR.
|
|
Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
There is always the option of sending it to NCS for conservation.
I know that there are people who have successfully removed small bits of crud like this one with a green rose thorn. I know that sounds kind of strange, but I've seen the results and it seems to work. I believe the thought is that the rose thorn will not scratch the silver as it is so much softer.
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
411 Posts |
Thanks Susan! Virtually all of what is seen is toning. I think I'm wrong about an actual piece of something. A spot of the toning appears below the E in United StatEs, which touches the letters of the motto a bit. The conservation service may make sense. It's such a shame. It's a pretty coin.
|
| |
Replies: 10 / Views: 2,174 |
|