Adafruit USB Microscope And Stand

The power of those scopes are too high. For coins,5x to 150x is ideal. You will have a big learning curve with the lights. As to getting a whole coin shot. Stack books under the scope stand,I can fit a silver dollar size coin in a whole coin shot.
John1

I never heard of the company but the first cheap microscope that I purchased had the same stand, it lasted less than a week. And that scope will not take whole pics of coins unless you put it on some books to elevate it.
I recently (last week) purchased the Celestron digital handheld pro 5mp microscope. And yes, the metal 5/8" X 7 3/4" tube is too short to take whole pics of coins but, it arrives unassembled. Therefore all that you need to get in order to have more elevation adjustment, is to purchase a brass 5/8" X 14" "hobby" tube. I say 14" because they come in 6", 9" and 14". The 9" is not long enough. I bought mine at Orchard Supply Hardwae for $4.99. Most any hardware store should carry them. Once you have the brass tube, take a look at the stainless steel one that came with the scope. You will see a notch at the top and one at the bottom. Take a straight edge and mark the tube about 1/8" on the top and the bottom. If you have a Dremel use one of the metal cutting wheels and notch the tube where you marked it. If you don't have a Dremel, a file will work just fine. Now just follow the instructions that comes with the scope to assemble it and your done. It took me less than 10 minutes to ready the new tube. It's an easy mod that makes a big difference.

Edit: I did not see the articulated scope holder when I posted this. However, $78+ for the scope and $50 for the stand, your looking at $130+ VS. $84.99 with the brass tube for the Celestron.
See the pics below.

Good question, I originally thought that 14" would be a bit too much but take a look at the pic of mine with the brass tube, on the base is an Eisenhower dollar. Notice the position of the scope on the tube. It's almost at the top. So yes, I would definitely go with the 14"!
You could probably get away with 13", but why cut an inch off?.
BTW, the knob on the side of the scope holder adjust the scope up and down about an inch. The is to roughly focus it then you fine focus using the dial on the scope.

I don't know where you buy them but every one that I have seen IS measured by the outside diameter. Besides, the inside diameter is not 0.50", it is 0.58"

@Quantinonica, if you have a digital caliper, take it with you to the hardware store. The inside diameter is really of no concern! The outside diameter however, must be 5/8" (0.62") or the scope mount will not tighten enough to hold it in place!

That makes perfect sense as most all "Plumbing" pipes will be listed as inside diameter! Weather it is a water line, a drain line a sewage line, etc.. always listed as inside diameter. For the application we are dealing with you will not find the brass "Hobby Tube" in the plumbing department as the side walls are extremely thin and could not hold the pressure of any liquid flowing through it. Hence, hobby tube!
Here us an example that is 5/8" X 12"
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/k+s/k+s8143.htm

That works
Before I purchased the Celastron microscope I was using a Carson. I took an old 1" OD dowel and a bicycle flashlight mount and made my own stand and base. Not the nicest looking one around, but it did fit my needs.