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help: how to scan BU coins ?

goossengoossen Posts: 492 ✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
I have no problems scanning my circulated coins, but when I scan a BU coin the light reflected made the picture very hard to see.

For example, this coin:
image

And this is another coin (same material) in circulated state.
image

Got what I'm meaning ?

I also have a digital camera, but I want all my coins scaned at the same scale and don't know how to do it with the camera. Also I think I need a tripod, right ?

Any suggestions ?

BTW, my scanner is an HP Scanget 3770 and my camera is a Sony P-92 5.0 MP...
My coins with pictures: http://www.paraguaycoins.com/

Comments

  • SylvestiusSylvestius Posts: 1,584 ✭
    You're gonna have to change the contrast and the brightness you know.

    Contrast down for a starters, looks dark so i say brightness up. I dunno how your's work, but my contrast brightness runs on a number scale. (Your's will be different no doubt, they always are)

    Both my brightness and contrast run from -127 to 127, with default being set at Brightness 32 and Contrast 12.


    If i were you i'd set you brightness/contrast so they are in the middle of the scale and then play around. I generally set silver at Brightness 24, contrast 18. The difference between being 6.

    So if your's went from 0-100 or something then you'd want to have your contrast on about 44 and your brightness on 50. Always set the brightness between 6-10 points higher.

    That should get the colour right but i dunno if it'll kill the blazing lustre. Your main problem at the moment is the contrast is way too high.

  • SylvestiusSylvestius Posts: 1,584 ✭
    Oh i should add, set the contrast/brightness before you scan the coin!

    Doesn't work quite the same after.
  • theboz11theboz11 Posts: 6,576 ✭✭✭
    You might try a Dark paper over the coin or if in a slab, tilt the slab with a pencil under the top edge.image
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  • SylvestiusSylvestius Posts: 1,584 ✭
    Or crack it out and scan it... image


    2x2s can be problematic to scan but the boz's method would sort that.
  • AuldFartteAuldFartte Posts: 4,597 ✭✭✭✭
    This Link is a method I use for lustrous and/or toned coins. It works really well, and, yes ... you DO need a tripod.

    What kind of digital camera are you using?
    Scanners, IMHO, stink for imaging coins.
    image

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  • SylvestiusSylvestius Posts: 1,584 ✭


    << <i>Scanners, IMHO, stink for imaging coins. >>




    I dunno i don't do too bad. It's alot easier than taking a photo and sending the film off, waiting a week for it to be developed and finding it looks naff! image


    It's that Stephen penny again... image

    image
  • coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Scanners, IMHO, stink for imaging coins. >>




    I dunno i don't do too bad. It's alot easier than taking a photo and sending the film off, waiting a week for it to be developed and finding it looks naff! image >>



    Well, they've got these newfangled thingies called "digital cameras" where you can see what your picture looks like immediately. image

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  • ManMan Posts: 1,002
    True scanners never do it justice unless you want to show off a a scratch or some small detail.
    My scanner has 3200 dpi x 6400 dpi, but doesn't show luster.

    While my camera has luster but I don't have a tripod and shake more than a leaf on a tree during a hurricane in front of a Best Buy's in Louisiana.

    Here's two shots of a BU Canadian dime, the second has a great reflection of my Canon's zoom lens in the 10¢'s beautifil mirror finish.
    image
    image
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