Coin Images For Circulated Coins

Hi, 50cents. I prefer your photo to the scanned image. The scanned image is pink, which I suspect does not accurately depict the color of your coin. Scanners, to me, most often produce flat, unflattering pictures of coins, even if all the details show. I've never used one, though, and there may be some tricks (techniques) that could improve images.

And, if your scanned image is a .tiff, .jpg or similar file, you can likely enhance it with software, just as you can a photo.

The key, with numismatic photography, of course, is to accurately reflect the coin...color and condition and to not misrepresent it.

By the way...those are a couple of nice walkers!


Kurt...I'm pretty happy with my Nikkor 105 f/2.8, but have been toying with the idea of picking up a Sigma 150 which is supposed to be even sharper with great working distance. What working distance to you have with your 60?

There's more flexibility with a camera. With a scanner there is only one way to image a coin, if the default way doesn't work you have a problem. With a camera there is an infinite number of ways to light it.

I like both but using a camera on some circulated coins will show more faults - hairlines, scratches etc... so I like the scanner images better. On uncirculated coins I like the camera only. I guess each one has its purpose.

I like your scanner images also, they show details in the shadow areas well. It's possible to do the same with a camera, all depends on the light source.

Speaking of scratches, it's possible to light a coin to show scratches or to hide them, depending on lighting angle.

Shallow angle light shows scratches, more direct or diffused light tends to hide them.

This coin has been cleaned. One pic shows the scratches, the other doesn't (except for the one near queen's neck. Both camera shots, just different lighting.

Image: scratchy.jpg
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Image: noscratchy.jpg
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