Loupes and microscopes

GoldCoinLover

I have a 10x loupe for grading. What type of high powered loupe or microscope (Which one is better) should I use to detect well counterfeited (transfer die) method coins? What X should I use? I was thinking a 50x super powered loupe or 50x microscope. I used a 20x microscope today and I don't think its powerful enough. (For example to see the toolmarks on the famous high-relief Staint Gaudens coin in the rays or the greek Omega symbol in the eagles claw)

Also could someone give me a good website for a good high powered loupe/microscope? I want to buy one to detect counterfeit coins. (With my offical PCGS Guide to Counterfeit detection book)

joeyuk

I have a stereoscope with a 10X eyepiece and a adjustable zoom of 4X giving me 40X total magnification. I use it for small cent varieties and rarely go to full magnification.

foodude

I use a 5x loupe for grading (anything more seems to be excessive, at least for me), and couterfeit detection, and yes couterfeits are out there- just look, for example, at raw gold, you'll find it. I also have a 10x and a 20x loupe that I use for some counterfeit detection, altered dates, mint marks, etc. I also use these for variety identificatiion. I rarely use the 20x loupe.

coinguy1

GoldCoinLover, not that you asked me, but I would recommend a lower power loupe (4x or 5x) for everyday use. When you use one with significantly greater magnification, it is almost impossible to get the whole picture and you are in danger of not being able "to see the forest for the trees".

If you are more comfortable with the higher power loupe, I would at least suggest that when you first examine a coin, you do so without using the glass. Get a feel for the big picture first.

GoldCoinLover

<< <i>I use a 5x loupe for grading (anything more seems to be excessive, at least for me), and couterfeit detection, and yes couterfeits are out there- just look, for example, at raw gold, you'll find it. I also have a 10x and a 20x loupe that I use for some counterfeit detection, altered dates, mint marks, etc. I also use these for variety identificatiion. I rarely use the 20x loupe. >>



I"m worried that a good gold coin (Counterfeit) will hit me. One made from the transfer die method. Could I see the small tooling marks the coin with a 10x? Or the omega symbol on some counterfeit coins? I Just think in order to detect counterfeit coins you need to be able to see tooling marks well, and with a 10x I don't think it's that easy to.

GoldCoinLover

Also is are the people at ANACS well trained to spot counterfeits? I know this may sound silly but many people don't regard ANACS as high as PCGS or NGC. I recently sent in my gold coin to ANACS and is it safe to say they are right it's geniune?

richbeat

I currently use a 6x magnifying glass, but was thinking about going to a 10x or 20x loupe. It seems that some of the less obvious varieties are harder to spot with the 6x. Would I be better off with a 10x or 20x? Or stick with the 6x?

foodude

GoldCoinLover,

The tool marks, etc. may be easier to see with a 10x. The PCGS book has great descriptions and pics of what to look for. The information in the book will make more sense, and be more useful after you see a real example of what the book is trying to show. I think once you see your first counterfeit, it will be easier to spot more. However, keep in mind that some counterfeits are easier to recognize than others- some are very, very deceptive.

Greg

nOoBiEeE

I would think anything over a 20x is not needed.

EarlyHalfBoobu

I use a zoom stereo microscope and it is really sweet.

Meiji EMZ5-TR, 7-45x magification and a third eye for camera attachment.

Would highly recommend this. Nikon stereoscopes are excellent as well, if not superior.

I currently use a halogen ringlight, but single-bulb lightsources are more effective in checking for hairlines, etc.

lathmach

<< <i>Also is are the people at ANACS well trained to spot counterfeits? I know this may sound silly but many people don't regard ANACS as high as PCGS or NGC. I recently sent in my gold coin to ANACS and is it safe to say they are right it's geniune? >>



You can bet on ANACS being right. They can tell good gold fom bad.
So quit worrying. Your coin is a genuine 1913 sovereign with "whittlemarks".

Ray

GoldCoinLover

Could some other folks please give me some advice on how much X I should have in my pocket microscope/loupe to be able to spot counterfeits? (Die polish, toolmarks, omega symbols etc)

I'll go on Ebay and order a good one for counterfeit detection once I find what to buy. I really could use your guys help. Thanks

JrGMan2004

1st Pass, taking a general look at the coin, taking in the overall look and eye appeal of the coin and noticing any things that catch my eye
2nd Pass, 5x Glass to get a better look at the hits and focal areas and other things that caught my eye...
3rd Pass, 10x for things I want to get a really close look at, like the Mint Mark or the bands on a Merc, but the 3rd Pass usually ends up being the 5x to go over the coin again...

XpipedreamR

I recommend a 7X Bausch and Lomb Hastings Triplet. I also occasionally use a 10X for really close up viewing.

GoldCoinLover

Wow 10x really is popular. Well I already have a 10x loupe, I just didn't think that was close up enough to see very fine toolmarks on counterfeit coins, or the famous omega symbols in the eagles claw on the high relief Saint Gaudens.

GoldCoinLover

Also, should I get this loupe? It has special lenses.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34084&item=4105513182&rd=1link

tsacch

I like 4x for quick looks, 10x if I am even considering buying it, 17X to 30X if looking for doubled dies or cleaning vs die polish lines

astrorat

<< <i>Also is are the people at ANACS well trained to spot counterfeits? I know this may sound silly but many people don't regard ANACS as high as PCGS or NGC. I recently sent in my gold coin to ANACS and is it safe to say they are right it's geniune? >>



ANACS is tops with counterfeit detection. My initial impression is that they are better at discovering new counterfeits than other TPG's. Perhaps that is because they are more visible with there service at shows and they give many counterfeit detection seminars. All the major TPG's are equal at detecting known counterfeits, from my experience.

Lane

astrorat

I use a 7x B&L Hastings triplet for grading (after viewing the coin without magnification).

I use a 14x B&L Hastings triplet for spotting those hard to view varieties.

I use a Zeiss zoom stereoscope when I can (7x to 40x) as I prefer the depth of field and "3-D" image as compared with a loupe.

You should be able to detect most deceptive counterfeits with no more than a 14x loupe, with a little experience. But, a stereoscope is always a better tool . . . although they ain't cheap!

Lane

GoldCoinLover

Should I get a 30x loupe or 30x pocket microscope? The pocket microscopes sure look cheap, especially the ones on ebay

astrorat

<< <i>Should I get a 30x loupe or 30x pocket microscope? The pocket microscopes sure look cheap, especially the ones on ebay >>



Try them before you buy one. I have used the 30x pocket microscope in the past at it was a PAIN and the optics were not good. I have never seen a 30x loupe but I imagine that the field of vision is miniscule and unless it is a Hastings triplet, you will likely have distortions of the image near the edge of the field.

Lane