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 Replies: 15 / Views: 5,999 |
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Valued Member
United States
54 Posts |
I would like to purchase an inexpensive magnifying glass (less that 20 dollars) to look at coins and would like some recommendations or suggestions. I read somewhere that a magnification of 30x to 60x is good.
I don't know much yet about coins or even much about magnifying lenses, so I appreciate any advice.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4212 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
First, what are you looking for on the coins?
30x to 60x is WAY too much for most uses.
10x max should work fine.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
666 Posts |
The magnifier fioti recommended looks really good. And I have had only very good experiences with Wizard Coin Supply. They don't have the most sophisticated website in the world, but it gets the job done; prices are better than most; and they have most of what a coin collector needs. If you decide you indeed want a lot of magnification (although I agree with Kanga that 10x is sufficient for most purposes), I have this one and really like it a lot: Toch Dual Lens 60X 30X 2in1 Pocket Microscope Magnifier Loop Magnifying Glass Jewelers Eye Loupe Lens with LED Light https://www.amazon.com/Toch-Microsc...o_229_tr_t_3~ Mark |
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Pillar of the Community
Norway
1358 Posts |
I actually spent a little bit more than that and got me a lamp with a magnifying glass on the top. The good thing is that you don't just have a magnifying glass, but also a good and even source of light to actually see your coin. Depending on the daily rate for the NOK, I think it was $30 or so. I like this better than the monocular I have. It has two types of magnifiers: one main one, which is good enough for most occasions, and one small part to see even the tiniest details.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
I have a 30/60x loupe for searching for extremely small details, or to count the number of electrons in orbit around the atoms of the coin (useful for telling silver from nickel). A $10 one is more than sufficient, and I would strongly recommend one with a light. If you just want to save yourself some eyestrain, try something more like: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stalwart...ack/49696140 |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
For general viewing 10x doublet and even better a triplet.For error/variety 12-14x again doublet triplet is better. B&L is a very good brand.A very good type is a Hastings John1  |
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Valued Member
 United States
54 Posts |
Kanga, all I really want to do is be able to see dates and other small markings as I am over 50 so the small print is harder to see without magnification. After I posted my above topic, I went back to find where I read the 30 to 60x and saw much less magnification required! I don't know where I was reading the 30-60!
Thanks, all, for the suggestions and advice.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
Consider some of the lenses in old cameras. My local thrift shop sometimes has a cheap film camera for a dollar or two.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
30x to 60X magnification is far too powerful for coin examination, because the very shallow depth of field field makes them virtually useless.
This sort of magnification is useful for examining internal flaws in faceted genstones.
Go for 10X magnification; that is what the TPGers use, and if it is ideal for them, 10X should be certainly OK for the coin collector.
10X loupes are much easier to obtain.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
790 Posts |
I tried a number of magnifiers, including a loupe and a little kid's portable microscope, which is really cool for extreme magnification but a real IQ Test when it comes to trying to get the coin right side up and in position, because it does everything upside down and backwards. The one I'm most happy with is this one: https://www.amazon.com/Fancii-Light...p/B019UYLIYICaveat emptor: it says 10x and up. The one I got was 30x and up. But despite what's been said here, it works great for me. It's portable, and it has a light, which is great--often when you break out a loupe, by the time you get the coin in focus you've blocked out the light in the room. Also, unlike a loupe, which you have to hold up to your eye, you can move the larger lens around, hover it over the coin until you get a good view. It's saved me a bit of eye and neck strain. I also sprang for a USB microscope (they run around $35) which lets you get the coin up on your computer screen, and depending on placement of the scope, lets you view the whole coin or get in tight on a detail. It also lets you take pictures, which is good if you want to document your collection. I like it, but the 2MP camera flattens out the coin and the color can be funky. I think eventually I'm going to trade up for a 5MP. More expensive but long term probably a better investment. Edited by twslisa
10/19/2016 07:56 am
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
10x is plenty. I have several cheap Harris 10x loupes, which I keep in various locations, just in case.  |
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Valued Member
United States
335 Posts |
If you have an iPhone with iOS 10, it has a magnifier built in. I have my phone set to go to the magnifier when I triple-click. I can turn on the light if I want and I can take a picture of the magnified image. And I always have it with me.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 5,999 |
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Posted 09/25/2016 7:49 pm
