Posted 11/17/2008 11:28 pm
I use a B&L stereomicroscope which with 10X eyepieces give 7.5-30X (4:1). But to see all of a Morgan size coin, you need a scope that can go as low as 3X. By using 5x eyepieces, you can do very well. There are 0.5x reducer lens available also , but they extend the focus length so much, you have to raise the scope above the support. 30X is very good for varieties. One of the eyepieces is adjustable so you can set it up so your eyes focus properly for near/far sightedness. This way my bifocals don't screw up my looking, I just take them off.
My inexpensive Canon 590IS does an excellent job of focusing through one eypiece and self focuses properly. They last forever and many colleges surpluses them out when grants buy new ones with halogen lights and USB, but these come up every week and I have seen them as low as $100 before. Hope this helps, search B & L stereo microscope on ebay. If you live in a large metro area, check yellow pages for microscope repair places.
Jim
