Posted 08/03/2009 8:35 pm
G'day, I'm in the same boat.
I found that some of the very inexpensive magnifiers, I mean $2.00 or so, can be useful.
I have one without a handle, but with a hinged cover to protect it from damage, which also served as a handle (more or less): great for putting in the pocket when you go out.
Eventually, get a loupe. Mine cost less than $20.00. When you want to closely examine a coin, nothing else will do the job.
Stamp collectors have "table magnifiers", that stand on legs. THe gaps between the legs let the light in. The length of the legs is matched to the focal length of the lens, thus eliminating half of the variables. Coins being thicker than stamps, some jiggling is necessary, but not much. I use this when I bring home a large quantity of coins from the bank. I'm sitting at a table anyway, so I line up the most interesting coins, then move the table-magnifier along them. Seems to be the quickest way to examine a number of coins.
In spite of all these choices, I find gold coins can be very difficult. I often take them outside, and that is satisfactory. But that is a lighting issue, rather than magnification.
Peter in Oz
I found that some of the very inexpensive magnifiers, I mean $2.00 or so, can be useful.
I have one without a handle, but with a hinged cover to protect it from damage, which also served as a handle (more or less): great for putting in the pocket when you go out.
Eventually, get a loupe. Mine cost less than $20.00. When you want to closely examine a coin, nothing else will do the job.
Stamp collectors have "table magnifiers", that stand on legs. THe gaps between the legs let the light in. The length of the legs is matched to the focal length of the lens, thus eliminating half of the variables. Coins being thicker than stamps, some jiggling is necessary, but not much. I use this when I bring home a large quantity of coins from the bank. I'm sitting at a table anyway, so I line up the most interesting coins, then move the table-magnifier along them. Seems to be the quickest way to examine a number of coins.
In spite of all these choices, I find gold coins can be very difficult. I often take them outside, and that is satisfactory. But that is a lighting issue, rather than magnification.
Peter in Oz
