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What Do You Use To See Small Error/Variety Details On Coins?

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Canada
57 Posts
 Posted 07/21/2025  11:48 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Rustoleum to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I've been collecting for a couple years, but have never really gotten into looking for errors or varieties because so many of them are tough to see with the naked eye. I'll often see pictures that some of you post of the magnified detail of a coin. What type of equipment would you recommend to a casual collector like myself, something that won't break the bank? Thanks in advance for the help!
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Marv65's Avatar
United States
10484 Posts
 Posted 07/22/2025  12:57 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Marv65 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I just use a cheaper "Plugable USB" scope - it plugs into my PC and I can view the coins on my 27" monitor.
I have no idea what to use if you have a phone only.

What-Do-You-Use-To-See-Small-Error/Variety-Details-On-Coins?
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JimmyD's Avatar
Canada
21584 Posts
 Posted 07/22/2025  06:28 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add JimmyD to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Personally I don't use a scope and never will.
Any major error you should be able to see without magnification
and for varieties I use a 10x magnifier. Graders only use a 5x glass
so if you can't see it with that, it is irrelevant as it won't be recognized.
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loonielewy's Avatar
Canada
1768 Posts
 Posted 07/22/2025  08:05 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add loonielewy to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
This is my go to. 1 lense is 4 times, both lenses together is 8 times. Folds up to keep scratches away. Fits in your pocket to take to shows. Not a bank breaker, great value in my opinion.

What-Do-You-Use-To-See-Small-Error/Variety-Details-On-Coins?

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Canada
5585 Posts
 Posted 07/22/2025  10:18 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add okiecoiner to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I've always used a 5X or 10X loupe. If you can't see it with that, then it's not much of a variety/error and probably wouldn't be recognized as anything valid.
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jbuck's Avatar
United States
187702 Posts
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Sharks's Avatar
Canada
1760 Posts
 Posted 07/22/2025  12:04 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Sharks to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
10x Belomo triplet does it for me.
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Errers and Varietys's Avatar
United States
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 Posted 07/22/2025  11:54 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Errers and Varietys to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
A 10x loupe should be enough. That's what I used when searching for varieties and errors.
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Brandmeister's Avatar
United States
6458 Posts
 Posted 07/23/2025  12:11 am  Show Profile   Check Brandmeister's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add Brandmeister to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
What-Do-You-Use-To-See-Small-Error/Variety-Details-On-Coins?

I use a little $8 clip-on magnifier for my iPad. I detached the light—I use a LED bar flashlight wrapped in a couple tissues. Works great for most magnified pictures.
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SPP-Ottawa's Avatar
Canada
10456 Posts
 Posted 08/23/2025  10:54 pm  Show Profile   Check SPP-Ottawa's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add SPP-Ottawa to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
I use a 10x loupe. I take it to the shows with me.


That is the hand lens of a geologist . It is how I look at everything that is not a coin, and so it was a natural transition for me to examine and grade coins with a 10x triplet loupe.
"Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert Oppenheimer

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