Mark Goodman, photographic genius!

coinpictures · January 8, 2008 10:02PM

While I consider my pics to be acceptable most of the time, there are some coins
I simply cannot capture, no matter how hard or long I try. I put together a
"torture test" package of some of my toughest (and nicest) pieces, ones that
I've never been able to get pleasing pictures of, and have sent it to several
photographers here on the board, to see how they might fare.

Some of the results were better than I was able to obtain, and some were not
quite as good as what I had previously done. No biggie, that's the whole point
of the exercise.

And then there's Mark's work. Wow. He still has my coins and we're still going through
the proofing process with some coins yet to come, but his shots have that "it" factor.
Looking at a picture and saying to myself "THAT is what the coin really looks like in hand."

I'll share more pics once I have them all and had a chance to go through the high-res
pics, but I had to share one coin, the crown jewel of my fractional farthing collection.
Imaging this piece has always been nightmarish because it is so darned tiny and the
slab wreaks havoc with the pics. I've never been happy with any of my pictures of
this coin. Nothing like a little rainbow copper...

TwoKopeiki · January 8, 2008 11:02PM

Beautiful coin and photo.

Mark definitely has a great eye.

MacCrimmon · January 8, 2008 11:06PM

Now THAT is a sweet image, and the colours and surfaces are even SWEETER!!!!!

I finally found a nice veiled head crown which I trust Mark will be able to work his magic on.......

CP, make sure you are sitting down when you view the "pizza pie" versions of your coins.

coinpictures · January 8, 2008 11:20PM

<< Now THAT is a sweet image, and the colours and surfaces are even SWEETER!!!!!

>>

Yeah, the surfaces on this one are to die for. I frankly think it is nicer than the grade that PCGS gave it (then again I think that PCGS is considerably harsher on darkside material than equivalent lightside of the same era).

bosox · January 8, 2008 11:47PM

Very nice coin!

Meiji · January 9, 2008 5:07AM

Beautiful picture of a beautiful coin.

theboz11 · January 9, 2008 6:45AM

Awesome

DorkGirl · January 9, 2008 7:46AM

<< Beautiful picture of a beautiful coin. >>

I totally agree!!

WWW · January 9, 2008 8:41AM

I have been a big fan of Mark's images and when it comes to toned bronze/copper, he is one of the best.

olmanjon · January 9, 2008 9:05AM

That is one beautiful piece. I have seen many coins on this forum that are great and most of the terms that are used are "I just found this piece" Where does one just find these pieces? Dealers-antiques shops-friends-auctions-e-bay???? Where? I don't see any of them, only what is here. Does one have to spend thousands of dollars for these coins? How does a broke smuck like me acquire one of these ?

coinpictures · January 9, 2008 9:15AM

<< That is one beautiful piece. I have seen many coins on this forum that are great and most of the terms that are used are "I just found this piece" Where does one just find these pieces? Dealers-antiques shops-friends-auctions-e-bay???? Where? I don't see any of them, only what is here. Does one have to spend thousands of dollars for these coins? How does a broke smuck like me acquire one of these ? >>

Ahh, welcome to the allure of the Darkside! You don't have to spend thousands.

I bought this piece from NEN (Northeast Numismatics) last year for $195, which actually is strong money compared to the Krause or Spink values. Much nicer in hand than the dealer's pictures implied... I don't think they knew what they had (nor did I know what I was buying). With the pictures above, I could probably get double or triple what I paid for it... but it's not for sale.

Darkside material of equivalent denomination and vintage tends to sell for considerably less than U.S. counterparts (there are exceptions).

Swampboy · January 9, 2008 10:53AM

If I owned an auction house I'd drive over to mgoodm3's house with a van full of cash and a contract.

First A.M.

Doogy · January 9, 2008 11:40AM

<< 

<< That is one beautiful piece. I have seen many coins on this forum that are great and most of the terms that are used are "I just found this piece" Where does one just find these pieces? Dealers-antiques shops-friends-auctions-e-bay???? Where? I don't see any of them, only what is here. Does one have to spend thousands of dollars for these coins? How does a broke smuck like me acquire one of these ? >>

Ahh, welcome to the allure of the Darkside! You don't have to spend thousands.

I bought this piece from NEN (Northeast Numismatics) last year for $195, which actually is strong money compared to the Krause or Spink values. Much nicer in hand than the dealer's pictures implied... I don't think they knew what they had (nor did I know what I was buying). With the pictures above, I could probably get double or triple what I paid for it... but it's not for sale.

Darkside material of equivalent denomination and vintage tends to sell for considerably less than U.S. counterparts (there are exceptions). >>

Beautiful coin Dan, and superb photography (as usual!) Mark! thanks for sharing these; nothing beats a beautifully photographed coin.

i'd like to highly Dan's point to Jon, as it hits the nail on the head:

"Darkside material of equivalent denomination and vintage tends to sell for considerably less than U.S. counterparts (there are exceptions)". and may I add.... This is a prime reason why darkside stuff is so attractive to so many! Also, there are some STUNNING darkside coinage designs out there; true numismatic artistic masterpieces can be had for a relatively small percentage of many US rarities. To me, there is no comparison of the beauty of the many world coins to their US counterparts, because of this i find the latter quite boring as a whole.