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 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,120 |
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Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
I have read through several older threads, but don't have a clear idea of the best way to search coins for errors and varieties. I am sure that each person probably has a somewhat different approach.
I couldn't afford a USB microscope at the moment, so I picked up a cheap hand held, illuminated microscope from Radio Shack. It's magnification is such (60-100x) that finding the dates, mint mark, etc. on the coins is taking some getting used to. Everything is upside down, for instance. But, once I find the numbers. etc. I can see them very clearly, albeit very up close.
Are you guys mostly able to spot suspected varieties, etc. with the naked eye and then go in for a closer look, or do you check each coin under magnification? It seems like it will take me a very long time to search this way.
Any help or advice on approach, set up, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Should I also get a scope/loupe with a greater field of view/ lower magnification. I do have a cheap magnifier. I am not sure what the magnification is, but I would guess that is is probably 5x or less.
Thanks for the help. Edited by Nazarene
07/29/2011 7:47 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2651 Posts |
I take a roll dump it out...separate mint marks in to two stacks....I then have a Microsoft Excel Document(one page Philly and one for Denver and any "S's" I look up online) I have with every year penny and its attributed variety. I have a 16x Loupe I look at all coins with...I keep the copper in big jars and any BU coins in rolls....Errors and other varietys in 2x2's....thats pretty much it...I have been doing it this way for about 2-3 months...working ok for now...I'm sure eventually I will come up with something a bit more organized....Some people have posted some elaborate set ups...
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
I check all coins with a mircoscope. There is no guessing that way. Either it is a variety or it isn't. True errors are seen at normal eye sight most of the time. There are a lot of things people call errors that are just wearing/worn out dies. An error is a rare thing. Not a continous event of die cracks/chips/breaks. Die polishings aren't errors. They are intentionally done to cover an event the die went through. Errors are easier to spot than the searching with a glass/microscope. Incomplete planchets, wrong metals, capped die errors, broadstrikes, double struck, low pressure strikes, brockages, indents and etc.     Stuff like Machine Doubling, die deteriations, cracks, chips, BIEs, breaks are interesting but not a lot premium for them. Check out error auctions for the items I mentioned and see the difference in value. |
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Valued Member
 United States
128 Posts |
Well, I think I need something with less than the 60x magnification that I have been looking at a few coins with. It seems very good for looking for mintmark issues and letter/number doubling, column doubling, etc. But for things like eyelid doubling... uh, I can;t tell where the eyelid is. The field of view is too small. Man, I had no idea there were so many varieties. I have been looking at coppercoins and Lincoln Cent Resource. This could take awhile. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
I start by looking at each coin through a 10X loop. If something catches my eye I look at it with one of those cheap 60X mini hand held microscope. If I want to look even closer I use my new USB 200X microscope. If it looks good with that I snap a photo. I do not use a list as I feel it limits you in what to look for. I have been doing this for a couple of years now, so I have gotten more familiar with common varieties for given dates. All I can tell you for sure is search, search, and search some more. The more you do it the better you will get at it.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
I limit my searches to the 35X max. The problem with too high a magnification, then anything looks like something. When you find a variety they leep out at you. If you have to keep looking, it's probably not there. Here is what I use. I've adapted the scope and lighting to get what I want from it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
Coop,
My eyesight has gotten progressively worse in the past five years. I need the extra magnification to see more clearly. Though I am jealous of your setup. Come on over and make one for me. I will put on a fresh pot of coffee.
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Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
That's a pretty cool setup coop. Looks like I have a lot to learn and a long way to go. For instance, I just discovered I had the zoom on my hand held cheapie scope turned up all the way, not down. So I was viewing at 200x (or so it says) and not 60x like I thought. 60x is a little better, but the field of view is still too small for convienient general searching. I am going to go look for something a bit more suitable today and see what I can find. Maybe I should just wait and order something online, but I have an instant gratification problem. Like Verusa Salt... "I want it now!"
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
Note the power of my scope on the image. It is an infite zoom. It doesn't just give 3.5X/10X/35X ETC. It allows you to choose what area you want to see better. Much better choice. 35X is really all you need for the max. Mine is 3.5-35X. When I take images I use one eye piece focused and shoo my camera through it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
I see you are using a square tube as a defuser. What kind of light and how do you mount it inside the tube?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
The light is a booklight called mighty bright. It fits into the tube supported by a couple of books and fitting into the tubes. (There is actually two. One quarter and on cent one on the inside with tape to keep the light from shining upward.) The quarter tube is held with coat hanger wire to suspend it in the right location for the images I take.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
So are you saying, a desk lamp with a Walmart bag draped over it is NOT an ideal light source.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
It depends on how you are taking images. I use a desk lamp with a flousent light to take images of coins without my scope. I have a doubled layer of bond paper to preven the glare to come through. You get the light without the glare.
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Pillar of the Community
Philippines
606 Posts |
Impressive numismatic gear.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
Quote:
Impressive numismatic gear It is Richard S. Cooper. 'Nuff said.  |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,120 |
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Posted 07/29/2011 10:00 pm
