Magnifiers

dwsblue

Hello all,

I am just getting back in to collecting, after many years. Coin grading services are new to me. I have joined PCGS and want to send in some coins for grading. I was hoping to get some advice on the magnifiers and or loupes you are using for grading your coins before sending them in to be graded? Also what light source are you using when grading your coins? Any feedback would be of great help.

Thanks very much.

jhar

I have a B&L 7x triplette Loupe & a cheap 4x magnifing glass for coin grading, when I don't just eyeball it!! I like to use naural light , or my Ott Task Lamp for close inpection.

Welcome to the boards.

goldrush00013

Welcome aboard!

Gonfunko

Welcome to the forums! Most people like to use a 5-10x loupe to grade with. There are different types of lighting you might want to use, depending on whther you want to make flaws very apparent, invisible, give a natural color to the coins, accent luster, etc. The ANA has an excellent video, Grading Mint State U.S. Coins, that explains the different types of lighting very well. I would highly recommend it.

XpipedreamR

I use B&L Hastings Triplets, usually 7X, although I also have a 10X(and I would like to get a 5X!).


My favorite light by far for looking at coins is daylight on an overcast day. I have found nothing to be better.

mrearlygold

I'll plug these since I think they're the best .

Eschenbach

http://www.usrarecoininvestments.com/Loupes/loups.htm

Don't leave home without one!

Tom

291fifth

I recommend an Eschenbach 5x magnifier for grading. Large field of view and very high quality.

foodude

I recommend an Eschenbach 5x magnifier for grading. Large field of view and very high quality.

Ditto. This is what I've been using for about the last 15 years.

XpipedreamR

So, are you guys saying that you would recommend an Eschenbach 5x magnifier for viewing coins?

TONEDDOLLARS

Thats what I use 7X

nwcs

Welcome! For grading, you don't really want more than 7X max magnification. Triplet lens. It's better to use 5x or less. That is, if you want to grade according to PCGS/NGC standards.

nwcs

Also, you'll want to set up a room with controlled lighting. Preferably dark with a single 75 watt incandescent lamp.

richbeat

Welcome aboard!

Coppernicus

I like either 5x or 7x. 10x and higher makes even really nice coins look relatively poor. The B&L and others recommended above are fine.

I went to a science surplus store and bought a bunch of "raw" lenses for $0.35 each. They all have small chips on the edge, hence they were rejected by the military. The quality of the lens however, is up to military specs. and they do a great job, i.e. no coloration, distortion, etc. It's only a sigle element but it is a quality piece of glass! Plus, if I drop or lose one, who cares? I gave one to each YN in my club as a door prize and many of the adult members wanted to know where I got them. I don't use them when I'm studying an expensive coin that I'm serious about, but they're very handy for a quick look.

Check out a surplus store near you and see what they have.

Mike

dwsblue

Thank you all very much for the advise.

Dave