Can someone recommend a good microscope for coin roll hunting and posting pics of my finds?
Coinscratch
Posts: 8,717 ✭✭✭✭✭
I sent off my first set of 10 pennies from the 60's and nothing graded higher than a 65. Still learning...
Best Answers
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logger7
Posts: 8,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
Use the one some of the graders use: https://i0.wp.com/coindealsforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/randy-campbell.jpg
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Sonorandesertrat
Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
You should not need to use a stereomicroscope for routine coin grading. Too much magnification is counterproductive.
Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]8 -
jmlanzaf
Posts: 34,603 ✭✭✭✭✭
@Sonorandesertrat said:
You should not need to use a stereomicroscope for routine coin grading. Too much magnification is counterproductive.Agreed. Under a microscope, all coins look circ. LOL.
Edit to add (for @insider2) - LOL means "laugh out loud". It was meant to be humorous.
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JBK
Posts: 15,686 ✭✭✭✭✭
IF and only IF there is a known variety that needs magnification to confirm, I don't understand why anyone would need a microscope for coin roll hunting. (For studying finds and taking photos, that is different).
CRH is all about quantity, and setting aside known dates that have potential varieties.
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Insider2
Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
@logger7 said:
I'm not sure what the model of the stereo scope is, you could ask; a 75 watt light is usually enough.It is an old Nikon SMZ-2 with 10X eyepieces. Magnification range is 8X to 40X by moving the "zoom" ring. This model was used at ANACS and at the Mint Lab in Washington,
This grader is using incandescent light. I don't recommend its use with a scope. The Mint authenticators and those folks trained by them in the 70's use the same two bulb fluorescent lights as jewelers/watchmakers use.
I use a three tube scope (for micrographs of diagnostics or characteristics on coins I wish to record) with a "zoom" range of 7X to 45X. Most work is done at 7X or lower with an auxiliary lens attached to the objective.
Microscopes are a fun and useful tool. While "experts" using hand lenses are spending several minutes talking about what they think they see on a coin, the
moron, stupid enough to be using a stereo microscope, has the correct answer in just a few seconds. 
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Type2
Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
If you just need to use it here and there you can get a cheep one off amazon for like $15 that you can hook up to your P.C or laptop, But if your looking at rolls you can see most of the big RPM, DDO/R very easy that are worth any $$$. Don't spend good $$$ on grading "stuff" it's ok to keep them raw in a 2x2 or flip but save your $$$ for grading the big error's if they are worth it..
Welcome to the nut house and Thank You for not bombarding us with a bunch of none error coin pic's. Nice to have you aboard.
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ChrisH821
Posts: 6,526 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have a crummy cheap amscope that I use sometimes. It gets the job done, just.
@CoinscratchFever said:
Okay, another question. I sent pcgs a 1960 D 1c which clearly has something sticking out of the bottom of the D, I did not list it as a variety and then forgot to correct my paperwork. It came back as a MS64 but no mention of rpm. Is that because I didn't pay the 65.00 I think I was supposed to?Probably. Variety attribution, if not one of the major ones listed in the redbook, is $18 on top of the regular fees. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Collector, occasional seller
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Type2
Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
No your right just $18+ grading fee, but need to check the box and list it on that line so they know what to look for like DDO/R or RPM and so on. Remember all them fees add up so the coin needs to be worth it as well.
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Type2
Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
@BuffaloIronTail said:
Are we having fun yet?Pete
Somewhere.............TTTT is LOLing all over the place.
Yup!
They almost got it right.
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Gluggo
Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭✭✭
$77 Bucks get you this one! OPTO-EDU A22.1504-C1 Forward-Mounted Binocular Stereo Microscope
Dont buy this one bad reviews on the camera. Buy this scope without the camera and order the 9.1 megabite camera. They have good reviews.
This is the good part number for the scope by itself. Scope SM-4TZ-144-
The good camera 9MP USB Microscope Digital Camera + Calibration Kit
SKU: MU900-CK
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Insider2
Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
Very Good used B&L and Nikon scopes come up on Ebay for under $400. I've bought four of them in the past six years from $220 - $375.
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cameonut2011
Posts: 10,169 ✭✭✭✭✭
@CoinscratchFever said:
@Colonialcoin said:
@cameonut2011 said:
You should not need to use a stereomicroscope for routine coin grading. Too much magnification is counterproductive.
+1
I agree!! I don’t ever recall a dealer at a show pulling out a stereo microscope from underneath his table to view one of my coins.
True, I can see enough through a loupe. I just want the ability to take an enlarged pic of said doubling so I confirm what my previously 20/20 eyes could do. And also able to post here for advice.
You can grab a cheap USB model for under $30 on eBay to share your finds and zoom in on small parts of the coin to take images (like lettering, dates, mint marks, etc.). If you find something super rare and expensive, it would be worth slabbing with True Views that are large and will emphasize any error or variety at that point for sales purposes. Stereomicroscopes are for professionals and expert numismatists/collectors doing research. It is overkill for average roll searches.
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david3142
Posts: 3,546 ✭✭✭✭✭
@Gluggo said:
Coinscratch I spent a few hours figuring out this unit. Here is a 1863 Civil War coin. Then a close up
I find it amusing that you are obsessing over the details of the date but the coin is actually an 1864.
I agree with others that you do not need a microscope to find the vast majority of valuable RPMs or DDs. Even the close/wide AM varieties are visible with the naked eye. Of course if you want to post images of them, you will need some magnification.
Given the results of your submission you would be better off spending your time learning how to grade so you don’t waste hundreds in grading fees.
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Answers
That looks pretty nice. So should I buy a lamp as well?
I'm not sure what the model of the stereo scope is, you could ask; a 75 watt light is usually enough.
You always need a good light source when examining coins.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
So, I just want to be able to take a pic and look at it on the computer, like you would at PCGS or HA. So hopefully then I can compare before sending off for grading. For example, I have 1972 D 1c with what looks like another D sideways and under the 9. I can't find anything online about it and need to take a closer look.
you will need nice coins in order for them to look nice under a microscope.
Don't quote me on that.
LOL. This is pure uninformed NONSENSE. I've graded many tens of thousands of coins Mint State - including the MS-70 grade (perfect) - over the decades while using a stereomicroscope to authenticate them.
Insider2, what magnification do you use for routine grading (not MS70 or PF70)?
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
7X
First I look at both sides of the coin with my eyes (I'm still nearsighted). Then it goes under the scope looking for problems. Next I look at it with my plastic lens B&L 3X, 4X, 7X hand lens (7X) to finalize my original opinion which often does not change from what I decided at first with my eyes.
Many times I'll leave this note for the finalizer: w/rub. He knows that IMO the coin is my old "technical grade" of AU that is no longer used. These coins usually go out graded as low MS - just as they do at the other major TPGS's.
It's a joke. Learn to laugh.
This is PURE HUMORLESS ARROGANCE.
I can promise you that I would do no better than you did, but that must have been a very expensive lesson. I do not know what high grade moderns sell for but I wonder if you might be able to put together a sample set for not too much money by buying slabbed cents off eBay. If you are patient maybe you can get a good deal on them. That way you might have a set of various grades to compare raw coins to. (This may or may not be helpful.)
Ha, ha, ha, I agree, the post is a joke!
However, My post is not a joke. I don't believe yours (AGREE) was either. I think you posted something you heard along the line from someone else who probably has never looked at more than one coin using a scope!
There are folks who know virtually nothing about coins "lurking" or posting here. There are also members slapping down nonsense before it is absorbed by those beginners. On those occasions, that's when I get a good laugh.
@jmlanzaf You
disagreed with this post. Please enlighten the members. Do you think every coin graded MS in a major TPGS slab is MS? Perhaps I can educate you if that is the case. If you have a copy of Grading Coins by Photographs by David Bowers, turn to page Xiii and read it. 
I disagree. I should argue that the appearance of "pure humorless arrogance" occurs whenever a statement of FACT is used to hammer home a point to an uninformed person. It is akin to smashing a bothersome sand flea with the 8" thick 13 pound Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. It is not arrogance when you've done it.
Okay, another question. I sent pcgs a 1960 D 1c which clearly has something sticking out of the bottom of the D, I did not list it as a variety and then forgot to correct my paperwork. It came back as a MS64 but no mention of rpm. Is that because I didn't pay the 65.00 I think I was supposed to?
Here is one! Is this a over kill? This one had bad reviews as the camera is junk. Buy it seperate if you decide to jump in.
Yes, like 300.00 but it was the really expensive lesson that got me into this hobby. 2017 started going through boxes of pennies and nickels, wife thinks I've lost my mind. 2016 realized (don't remember how) what I had in my hand back in 2009 at a time when business was down and I was late on rent. So during that year 16 to 17 I lost a lot of sleep before I realized the only way to cure the pain and suffering was to beat it back. So here I am. It was a 1965 silver dime and I spent it at the same store I received it. I knew enough to know that it was silver and that it wasn't supposed to be, but just couldn't put it together. And yes, it would have graded nicely...
You do know that "LOL" means "laughing out loud". It was a joke, and you simply did not get the joke.
I disagreed just because you disagreed with me. Strictly retaliatory. I added a couple more, also strictly retaliatory.
@jmlanzaf said: "I disagreed just because you disagreed with me. Strictly retaliatory. I added a couple more, also strictly retaliatory.
Strictly childish IMO. However, it takes a "big" man to admit to being a childish little Troll. I've lived through three of them (all got banned) since joining. One more is just very sad.
PS Did you read the page about grading?
See, I could have lived with a simple disagree. You, however, always feel the need to belittle from your high horse. You don't get the joke. That's fine. Admit your error and move on. But here you are, adding more insults.
I'd actually prefer it if you just took to posting stereo images of your pocket change.
I wonder if someone else found it...
Well, I get some sort of device so I can send some pics in the next few days. I'm pretty sure I now know the diff. between doubled die and die detoriation, just cant spell it yet LOL.
@jmlanzaf said: "I'd actually prefer it if you just took to posting stereo images of your pocket change."
Actually I have a lot of images backed up to post but our computer system has been upgraded and I no longer can download directly from my camera in a few seconds. Now it takes more time to transfer things around and I don't quite have the hang of it as I'm ignorant when it comes to computers. So, I should be able to post the things you prefer later next week.
PS I'll even find out how to reproduce the page I suggested you read from the coin grading guide.
See, this is the more playful you that I enjoy. I shall remove a couple disagrees.
Are we having fun yet?
Pete
Somewhere.............TTTT is LOLing all over the place.
Thank you Gluggo! I think I will spend the extra. Kinda like golf clubs, if you buy really expensive ones then you can no longer blame the clubs.
For occasional roll searching, the posted set-up will likely be cost prohibitive. There are a number of Chinese USB mini-microscopes on eBay for $30 that will meet most people's needs (outside of obvious professionals).
+1
I have heard those usb microscopes recommended but for a number of reasons they aren't that useful for grading.
@CoinscratchFever...Welcome aboard.... As you may have gleaned from the potpourri of above posts, a microscope is good for determining anomalies... grading usually can be done with the naked eye up to 5-7X magnification.... Your post about a 'sideways D' would be an example of where a microscope might help - it likely is PMD...and you could then confirm the condition. Good luck, Cheers, RickO
For grading, a 5x-7x loupe will do.
Good scopes are about 800 range used and up. If your going to hunt rolls consider the head gear glasses or get a travel mini scope for less then 100.00.
Good luck.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
If you want to only spend 35 bucks this is a good one I bought this and it seems to work ok. I had a few issues getting it to work had to download a program as there was no disc supplied. But it works good. I just work to much to really explore with it.
Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand for Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 250x Magnification)
Okay that sounds more like what I am looking for $ wise. I will check it out. I want to make sure I can take high pics so yall guys can decipher whether or not it gets wrapped up all nice and neatly and sent off to PCGS.
Okay I didn't realize that it would cost more than a good set of clubs, jeez
The one above for $ 35.00 the plugable usb unit, is suppose to take a snap shot of what your looking at through your computer. There is a built in button on top of the unit. Press it down and it will give you a snap shot. I have never used that portion of the scope. I will give it a try when I get home later tonight and post the picture so you can see the quality of the shot.
I actually learned about this unit I think through Coin World. There was an article about a woman going through her change coins and found a rare coin. Sort of a neat story and this was the unit.
There are some cheapo stereo units available on ebay like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/20X-LED-Portable-Binocular-Stereo-Microscope-10X-Eyepiece-Track-Stand-Battery/253438786408?hash=item3b0220fb68
CoinscratchFever here are the digital shots. Its even easier than I thought. These pictures are from the $35.00 Plugable USB 2.0 Digital Microscope with Flexible Arm Observation Stand for Windows, Mac, Linux (2MP, 250x Magnification) Very easy to use I like it.