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Please Help Me Find A Magnifying Glass

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 Posted 10/18/2018  9:34 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Sharkman to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I have been using a lighted acrylic magnifying glass that appears to be about 2x. I read somewhere that glass is best for numismatics. So, I started looking on the internet for a lighted, glass magnifying glass. Not much luck. I ended up ordering a 10x and a 4x on ebay from overseas sellers. Each was less than $20. When, after several weeks they finally showed up, neither was suitable. The 10x was way too strong. I held out hope for the 4x, but it's light didn't work.
So, can anyone steer me anywhere I might find what I'm looking for? Also, any recommendations on magnifying power? 4x? 5x? 10x is clearly too much, and I want more than the 2x I'm now using.
Can't use a jeweler's loupe with my glasses; too blind to use loupe without glasses.
Thanks!

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John1's Avatar
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 Posted 10/19/2018  04:49 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add John1 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I wear bi-focal glasses with a strong prescription. I look for errors and varieties. I use a 14x jewelers loupe doublet that cost less than $7 and also a 14x Hastings B&L jewelers loupe that cost $24. I recommend having a 10x and a 12 or 14x. If you are just looking at coins to see the whole coin use a 5x with glass lens. Avoid any with built in light.
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 Posted 10/19/2018  12:10 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Sharkman to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thanks, John1. You have saved me probably hours of uninformed searching.
I, too, wear bifocals with a strong prescription. Maybe I don't understand what a jeweler's loupe is. I thought it was only the one eye thingie that you put up against your eye and squinted to hold in place. The hand held magnifiers you suggested look like just what I am looking for.
If you could, it would be great if you could explain why built in lights should be avoided. The one I am using now is very convenient. I am able to see the coin better with the light on than off, so I will want to have an additional light source somewhere. Currently, I like to sit back in my recliner, holding the THG slab in my left hand and the magnifier in my right. Although I find this an enjoyable and relaxing way to enjoy my collection, maybe I should be sitting at a table with some sort of light to examine the coin under. If I were searching for errors and die varieties, I can fully understand the need for higher magnification power and proper lighting. At this time, though, I am really just using the magnifier to appreciate the engraving and design details, particularly with very small coins like Half Dimes.
Any thoughts?
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 Posted 10/19/2018  12:35 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Alpha2814 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I've had a couple with a built-in light. When the light works, it's quite helpful, but don't expect that to last very long. My first one lasted a couple of months before the batteries gave out. It was a pain to open the case to replace them, and when I finally did the light wouldn't work at all, even with new batteries. The light on my second one still works, sort of -- it flickers badly, though a good smack will get it to stay on for a second or two. I can't even get its case to open to change the batteries but with this behavior I don't think it's worth the effort.
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 Posted 10/19/2018  1:30 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add John1 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
just using the magnifier to appreciate the engraving and design details

In that case use the 5x that I posted a link for. As to on board light,in your case I see no problem. When I am looking for errors/varieties a single light source works best. I sit at a table with a clamp on swing arm light. By all means,use whatever magnifier and light source that works best for you.
John1
Edited by John1
10/19/2018 1:30 pm
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SilverDon's Avatar
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 Posted 10/19/2018  2:05 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SilverDon to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I understand graders up north here use a 10X, I use a 20X
hand held, collapsible, with an LED light, need new battery
but can change it up. I use it for coins and panning for
gold/geology.

Please-Help-Me-Find-A-Magnifying-Glass
Please-Help-Me-Find-A-Magnifying-Glass

After posting this, my wife found my hand lens from my
University Days in Geology, it was made in Japan with the
green twine, this was lost for three years, in which time
I bought the one above it and the plastic one, now I have
3. In 1985 I bought that loupe for $20 it is 20X.


Please-Help-Me-Find-A-Magnifying-Glass
Edited by SilverDon
10/20/2018 1:14 pm
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