What type of Loupe to use?

richardshipp

Just got in my "cherry pickers" books yesterday and decided to check out some of my stuff. I found that the simple loupe that I have does not provide enough umph to see the details good.

What type / magnification loupe would you recommend to for picking out the "cherries"?

Thanks in advance.

richardshipp

Nobody ? I'm heading up to a local shop today and would like to pick one up.

Leiana

I have a little 10X loupe that I like very much. It's small and "silver colored." I can't tell you much more about it than that.

-Amanda

seanq

Give folks more than a half-hour to pry themselves away from real life (or other dramas ).

I personally use an ANCO 16x loupe, other people swear by the Hastings triplet. There have been other threads on the subject, read this one if you want to go really high-end or this one for more basic recommendations.


Sean Reynolds

richardshipp

Thanks and sorry for my impatience. Maybe I can find a colorful one

SmallTownCoins

I would suggest a 10X loupe for all purpose....
and maybee a 16X loupe for minor overdate's and little stuff....

dcamp78

I believe a 10x loupe is the standard. I've seen them up to 30x. I suggest getting one with a light built in, if possible.

Cladiator

I used to use a cheapo plastic deal with three 5x lenses so you could go from 5x to 15x.

Currently I'm using an Eschenbach 3-6-9 and it's the finest piece of glass I've ever looked through. Not real cheap but well worth the money.

DennisH

I collect big silver coins and use three loupes... all of which have their advantages:

1. A cheap (about $6) plastic 5x collapsable Bausch & Lomb. It's main advantage is a large lens (bigger than a half dollar) that makes easy work of seeing the entire coin quickly. The disadvantage is it isn't strong enough for decent VAM work.

2. An inexpensive (I think about $10) plastic 5x-10x loupe that has two folding lenses. Not as fast and easy to use as the first loupe, because the lenses are only about the size of a quarter, but using both lenses for 10x power is fine for VAMing.

3. I just bought a very expensive ($100) 12x Eschenbach loupe that is astounding. It's too powerful to use to look at an entire coin, which makes it slow, but the optics and clarity when checking VAMs are incredible. When I use it to look at coins I've owned for years, it's as though I'm seeing them for the first time.

I used to carry the first two loupes in my pocket to all shows. I now take #1 and #3... and I absolutely wouldn't leave home without #3.

crito

My favorites where two Whitman glasses (actually made of glass) that came in leather flip-out cases I originally bought ~1979. Believe they were 8X and know they were big enough to view an entire Morgan magnified in a single glance. Anyway, I've lost them both at shows over the last couple years and can't find anyone who still sells them. For varieties I use a triplet though... think it's 15X... can't find it at the moment (what a surprise).

lkenefic

I have a brown plastic loupe with three different magnifications...5x, 10x, and 20x. This has served me well.

Leo

lkrarecoins

I use an ANCO 10X Triple Loupe w/ a rubber grip...Around $32 on the Whitman website

Nice, good quality lens, that serves the purpose....here's what she looks like

19Lyds

Since you are searching your own coins, why not consider a microscope? Mine cost about $250 and I use it all the time. It shows a much broader field than a loupe, which I use on the road, or it can be narrowed down to a very small portion of the coin. Its also handy for just sticking your digital camera up to for some quick photographs!

Regardless of what scope or loupe you get, be sure to get a lanyard for your loupe! You'll be glad you did!

p8nt

Bausch & Lomb 5x and 7x. Combine them and have 12x. It's a nice quality loupe and runs about $20.

Nysoto

Belomo 10x has good optical quality for the money - about $14 on eBay.

Outhaul

Right now, this is by far the most popular loop on the forums...

Shamika

I use a B&S Hastings Triplet 10x.

FatMan

Zeiss D36. It's a bit pricey, but now that I have one I will settle for nothing less.

Outhaul

B&L 10X

mrearlygold

eschenbach loupes are the best

messydesk

Bausch & Lomb 10x Hastings triplet. The ANCO 16x is crap with no sharpness anywhere except dead center.

Zeiss/Eschenbach users will probably say the same about my B&L.

seateddime

zeiss.

RichieURich

<< <i>Since you are searching your own coins, why not consider a microscope? Mine cost about $250 and I use it all the time. It shows a much broader field than a loupe, which I use on the road, or it can be narrowed down to a very small portion of the coin. Its also handy for just sticking your digital camera up to for some quick photographs! >>




For some varieties that are more difficult to see, a microscope is essential.

carl

I have several magnifiers. Just never heard the term loupe until I joined coin forums. I don't bother with brand names, just magnification abilities. I have 2X, 5X, 7X, 14X and one 30X. I use the 7X most of the time. I always feel if I need to look at a coin with anything more powerful than that, it's time to get a new hobby.

Coxe

I have a variety of loupes but do best on VAMs with a Konus 20x (#3013). Been meaning to get a proper Eschenbach for a while.

quarterjack

Zeiss D36 and i love it.
I'm sure everyone has an favorite.

Dave

mrearlygold

<< <i>Bausch & Lomb 10x Hastings triplet. The ANCO 16x is crap with no sharpness anywhere except dead center.

Zeiss/Eschenbach users will probably say the same about my B&L. >>




well Eschenbach users would come close to saying that about a zeiss

drwstr123

There are many brands. My advice is get a Hastins or Coddington corrected lens in 10X by any of the brands mentioned. Good luck on you decent into madness. Mike

FatMan

<< <i>Bausch & Lomb 10x Hastings triplet. The ANCO 16x is crap with no sharpness anywhere except dead center.

Zeiss/Eschenbach users will probably say the same about my B&L. >>

well Zeiss users would come close to saying that about an Eschenbach

Leiana

I found my 10X loupe and it is a Tecnar Deluxe Hipower.

I love it.

-Amanda

Craton

<< <i>I use a B&S Hastings Triplet 10x. >>



Same here. I purchased it from a Dealer/net friend named Larry Calder before he passed away a few years ago so it has sentimental value as well.

BlindedByEgo

<< <i>I use a B&S Hastings Triplet 10x. >>



Resonably priced loupe that you won't freak out if you lose (like you would a Zeiss).

Use a stereoscope for cherrypicking

TheRegulator

What type of loupe you want probably depends on what you are trying to find.

I use a Bausch & Lomb 20X Hastings triplet for hunting Lincoln Cent RPMs at local coin shows and couldn't be happier with it. Picked it up online at Kooter's Geology.

CoinMaster1229

Anyone know what loope PCGS Graders Use?

mrearlygold

<< <i>

<< <i>Bausch & Lomb 10x Hastings triplet. The ANCO 16x is crap with no sharpness anywhere except dead center.

Zeiss/Eschenbach users will probably say the same about my B&L. >>

well Zeiss users would come close to saying that about an Eschenbach >>



HAHA, nah

mrearlygold

<< <i>Anyone know what loope PCGS Graders Use? >>



PCGS graders are tough. They use their bare hands

Aethelred

I would not trade my set of Eschenbach loupes for a truck load of any other type. They may cost a little more, but you'll use them for a lifetime!

Pushkin

<< <i>What type of Loupe to use? >>








However, I've found a use for Zeiss.

Coxe

<< <i>

<< <i>Anyone know what loope PCGS Graders Use? >>



PCGS graders are tough. They use their bare hands >>



Ah, so they DID hire Chuck Norris.

Leiana

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Anyone know what loope PCGS Graders Use? >>



PCGS graders are tough. They use their bare hands >>



Ah, so they DID hire Chuck Norris. >>





Chuck Norris doesn't grade coins. He stares at them until the grade appears on the slab.

-Amanda

PS: I'm so

robertpr

Leiana

Robert's loupes are cool.

That big one is too funny!

Here is mine, and a glass I use for a larger perspective.



-Amanda

PS- That's an awesome Morgan, too, Robert!

-Amanda

netrubicon

Harris & co. 16, Beromo10x, and 10 Power mag Illuminatoer by electro-optic,inc.

Aethelred

mrearlygold

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Anyone know what loope PCGS Graders Use? >>



PCGS graders are tough. They use their bare hands >>



Ah, so they DID hire Chuck Norris. >>



Nah, Chuck was passed over for

Craton

<< <i>

>>



I have one of those Gigantical FAT ones too! It was given to me as a gift in an RCC swap along with some super choice items and they all came in a cool inceptor shield double row 2x2 box.

seatedcoins

Anyone use a hands-free watchmaker's loupe? This is a Bausch & Lomb 10xs watchmaker's loupe.

ArizonaJack

B&L 10X and 20X Hastings, love them both

Coxe

Currently, my main one (the one in my pocket) is Belomo 10X (Belarus). Also use a B&L Hastings 10X triplet and some monster one (60X?) I picked up at a swap meet once, though it has a bit of off axis distortion and is not as good with the light.

robkool

A 10X is best for the average collector...

I perfer the 16X, since I have excellent eyes, and more tolerance to use it.

cmerlo1

I use a cheapo 10x for the first look, then switch to my 20x B&L Hastings Triplet if I need a closer one...my only complaint aboutthe B&L is that it's so darn small!