Raw Images vs. In Slab - It Does Matter! Grade:67UCAM

FlyingAl

I recently purchased this 1962 Proof dime for one sole purpose - to have fun imaging it! It's not expensive at all really, so the idea was to crack it out. I figured I'd take some in slab shots first so we could compare the two.

The biggest problem with small and heavily contrasted coins is slab glare - the coin will catch the light from the lights, reflect it into the slab, which will reflect back onto the coin creating a glare that forces the photographer to move the lights further away. This reduces the amount of contrast that can be captured in one image.

Take that plastic away, and you can move the lights a whole lot closer. This is especially obvious on the obverse photos.

Feel free to guess the grade if you wish!

Here's the difference!

In slab:

Not in slab:

FlyingAl

https://www.mycollect.com/posts/122968

Video for those who want to GTG.

PeakRarities

What a difference, the raw shots look spectacular! The slab looked like it was ratty though, I'd be curious to see raw vs slab with compass oil.

As far as grade, sheesh I dunno, pr68cam?

hummingbird_coins

68 DCAM

Elcontador

This might be one of a number of reasons why EAC people like their old copper unslabbed.

coinsarefun

As a rule out of the slab is the best but……
I forget who I bought it from here on the forum but I alias’s thought this slab pic came out fantastic.
It helps the the coin is beautiful too.

.

Avocet

This is a nice experiment. While there are a few tricks to reduce the effect of the slab, the best result should come from 'no slab". As a rule, the fewer layers of glass/material between sensor and subject, the better. Thanks for sharing this!

Seraph21

That's a huge difference in the inner reflections between the slab and a coin, what's it look like if you use the same lighting positions on the raw coin as you did on the slab?

1madman

I’m not liking that scratch on the neck.

65cam

lermish

Nice pics! 68CAM

FlyingAl

@Seraph21 said:
That's a huge difference in the inner reflections between the slab and a coin, what's it look like if you use the same lighting positions on the raw coin as you did on the slab?

The lighting positions are the same, other than minor distancing adjustments (moving lights even closer).

Seraph21

@FlyingAl said:

@Seraph21 said:
That's a huge difference in the inner reflections between the slab and a coin, what's it look like if you use the same lighting positions on the raw coin as you did on the slab?

The lighting positions are the same, other than minor distancing adjustments (moving lights even closer).

Very cool!

MFeld

@1madman said:
I’m not liking that scratch on the neck.

65cam

That seems about 2 points too harsh.

seatedlib3991

I don't know if any of you are familiar with the Friends episode where Rachael is suppose to be all excited about seeing her baby in an ultra sound picture but has to keep admitting she can't see it?
I will admit I have always had a terrible time with proofs in picture to begin with. A medical crisis that damaged my vision hasn't been a great help either, but if I am completely honest I can't tell a difference. I have nothing but respect for the person posting and believe his posting is valid. I just wish I knew what difference I am looking at. Does it grade higher in PIc #2? Is the whiteness or depth of detail make some difference? Are the fields any darker or lighter? Thanks for post anyway. James

spacehayduke

My experience has been that slab glare is highly reduced with the CAC slabs - they somehow managed to have inserts and plastic that works well for imaging.

davewesen

@PeakRarities said:
What a difference, the raw shots look spectacular! The slab looked like it was ratty though, I'd be curious to see raw vs slab with compass oil.

As far as grade, sheesh I dunno, pr68cam?

You put oil on the slab to hide the small scrapes/scratches occasionally found on slabs?

How do you get the oil off of the slab? I know acetone does not work well, wrecking the slab.

I have frequently had difficulty determining if marks are on coin or slab.

The_Dinosaur_Man

Slab plastic also refracts light passing through and back out of it, part of what causes the glare. Sometimes, especially when photographing some NGC holders, the refracted light waves split and the photo looks like a Pink Floyd album.

PeakRarities

@davewesen said:

@PeakRarities said:
What a difference, the raw shots look spectacular! The slab looked like it was ratty though, I'd be curious to see raw vs slab with compass oil.

As far as grade, sheesh I dunno, pr68cam?

You put oil on the slab to hide the small scrapes/scratches occasionally found on slabs?

How do you get the oil off of the slab? I know acetone does not work well, wrecking the slab.

I have frequently had difficulty determining if marks are on coin or slab.

yes, compass oil. Its a viscous clear oil that evaporates, you blot it up with a paper towel and then the residual oil will disappear on its own. It's a specific oil you have to use, other oils will work too but they're messier and they don't clean up as nicely.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BLP62F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

erwindoc

Nice difference

67DCAM

Copperindian

68DCAM

FlyingAl

Grade is 67 Ultra Cameo for those wondering.

TrickleCharge

Can really see the difference. Cool experiment, thanks for sharing.

jmlanzaf

@Elcontador said:
This might be one of a number of reasons why EAC people like their old copper unslabbed.

Old copper is less reflective and easier to image in the slab. Proof silver has a much bigger glare problem.

Elcontador

@jmlanzaf said:

@Elcontador said:
This might be one of a number of reasons why EAC people like their old copper unslabbed.

Old copper is less reflective and easier to image in the slab. Proof silver has a much bigger glare problem.

I'll take your word for this. But am not sure if this applies to a glistening BN Unc. with even toning on both obverse and reverse. Not many old coppers like the one I described, but I've seen a number of them. I don't know how well an attractive copper that just had a think coat of Blue Ribbon applied would look if it was just slabbed.

johnny9434

66 ft, maybe a cac as well?

ProofCollection

Proof coins don't have FB/FT designations, nor does CAC sticker these.