| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,032 |
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
311 Posts |
I am going through my first box of pennies. I am using a 10X power magnifier, and then I will use a hand held 30X magnifier. I use the 30X because I have poor eyes to pick out such details like die cracks or any other defects. My question here is how far could or should a person go to magnify a coin for defects?
|
|
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
250 Posts |
I may be corrected, but I think the third party graders such as ICCS and CCCS use a 10x magnification. Personally I use a 20x to check for double dates etc.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1051 Posts |
I go to 10X only, but my eyes could still be considered reasonably good.
For more magnification than that, I'd be tempted to use a scanner or PC microscope (much easier on the eyes).
Edited by 1cent
10/15/2010 02:58 am
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Whatever you feel happy with. Problem with high magnification is shallow depth of field, may be useful or a problem to you when examining a coin obliquely.
I am also a gem cutter (facetor) and so use binocular magnifiers or jeweller's loupes.
Sometimes I use 4X cheap reading glasses, but you can only look at coins at close distances only, or you can overwork your eyes.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
My eyes are not the best so I use a 14x doublet loupe.If I need to see "more' on a coin I use a USB microscope plus I can take a photo with the scope and post the pix here for help in I.D.ing.Generaly though I would recommend most people use a 10x,at least to start with.You can always go up from there but it is hard to go with less mag once you have tried a higher one.And one final note,use what works best for "you".
John1 
|
|
Valued Member
Philippines
386 Posts |
30x loupe is perfect for my eyes.
I guess it all depends on your comfortability
as long as it will suit to your needs and enjoy
the moment of looking at your treasured coins.
But pls do not use loupes with glaring lights
of at direct sunlight. You also have to be cautious
with your eyes when using magnified lenses.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
I use a 5x lighted magnifier for most work, but go straight to the microscope for detailed work. I use the 180x scope for conserving LWC with Verdi-gone. Now if I could only hear the verdigris buggers scream when I hit them with it...make a good Halloween Movie. Happy All Souls Day all!  |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
650 Posts |
Carmykle, does your scope allow full field of the coin for a picture? I have a 60x but it doesn't allow the full coin for pics.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
864 Posts |
I also think that for those of us with vision problems, near and far sighted, cataracts growing etc, or anyone who looks at coins A LOT!! that the bigger the magnification the better to prevent more eyestrain than absolutely necessary? Makes sense to me. You?  |
|
Valued Member
Canada
153 Posts |
I use a 10X or 16X loupe for coins on the bourse .. the 10 for initial screening and 16 for looking closely. At home, I use a 10X/30X binoc microscope with either setting vastly superior to a handheld loupe. You can get a scope that has been replaced at high schools or colleges for well less than $100 .. those are fully manual without a built-in light or camera connection. Once you get use to it, you can scan many more coins than with a loupe because both hands are free.
|
|
Valued Member
Canada
456 Posts |
I'm with R2bR2c ... I guess my eyes are good enough that the x10 and x16 are good enough for variety scans at a bourse.... Don't need anything else at home either.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
99 Posts |
What kind of USB microscope will take photo of entire field?.... That is a great spin off question!
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 2,032 |
|
Posted 10/15/2010 02:38 am
