Numerical grade isn't always everything!!

ksteelheader

This is graded MS63. I like it for it's color and eye appeal.

coinpictures

Yup.

coinkat

Agreed

Canadian coinage is not as easy as one might think to find in high MS grades

adamlaneus

<< <i>This is graded MS63. I like it for it's color and eye appeal.




>>



WATCH OUT! I am going to have to disagree a little bit on this one.

If those colors were real, then it has eye appeal.

What I see, however, is a photo with "color grain". It is what happens when you don't give a camera enough light. You end up getting a speckly, noisy image where the noise is in the form of colorful dots. If I discount the color speckles, I see a relatively typical, slightly toned coin.

Have you seen this one in your hand? This is a photo that would give me cause for concern.

lordmarcovan

I think I know what you are referring to, A.L.

But I also think I can pretty well imagine what this coin looks like in hand, and I feel it is probably plenty nice.

In fact, if one is able to see the luster, too, it probably looks better than the picture.

ksteelheader

<< <i>
WATCH OUT! I am going to have to disagree a little bit on this one.

If those colors were real, then it has eye appeal.

What I see, however, is a photo with "color grain". It is what happens when you don't give a camera enough light. You end up getting a speckly, noisy image where the noise is in the form of colorful dots. If I discount the color speckles, I see a relatively typical, slightly toned coin.

Have you seen this one in your hand? This is a photo that would give me cause for concern. >>



This coin has been in my "hand" for over four years. What you see is what I see when I hold it. It truly amazes me when some people can criticize other peoples photos with no knowledge of what the "real" object even looks like.

coinpictures

It is somewhat hard to tell as there is a bit of noise/grain in the original photo, but as far as the color, it looks completely NT to me... that blue/red/magenta/brown combination occurs quite a bit on Canadian silver.

JimK

Great Thread!
Here's another example. I bought this coin based strictly on eye appeal. It resides in a PCGS AU55 slab:

I love the gunmetal toning!
(pic courtesy of coinpictures)
Jim

JimK

Here's another one. Not a particularly difficult date but I would be hard pressed to find another with these colors. It is in a PCGS MS63 slab and also has early strike characteristics:




The pics do not do this coin justice but I gave it my best shot!


Jim

coinkat

We need to take a step back and appreciate the coins pictured here for what they are and that is enough for me.

adamlaneus

<< <i>This coin has been in my "hand" for over four years. What you see is what I see when I hold it. It truly amazes me when some people can criticize other peoples photos with no knowledge of what the "real" object even looks like. >>



I don't need to know what the coin looks like in hand to know what color noise looks like in a photograph. Sorry, but it is a poor photograph. It can be improved by turning down the ISO setting and throwing more light at the subject. Don't be amazed. It's constructive criticism designed to improve photos.

I can only wish I saw the same coin you see. But the rim areas especially, where I am supposed to see cool dark toning with the cool colors...I see a region where the contrast drops off and I see distracting speckly colors. I may be trained to identify this photographic condition and hate it more than others. I may also be somewhat spoiled by good equipment.

But i'm afraid that the photo really doesn't give me a good impression of what the real object looks like.

Don't get upset. Just get Marks book and some better lighting. I'm sure it's a nice coin and I really am wishing I saw it like you see it. But I think the photo gets in the way.

ksteelheader

<< <i>

<< <i>This coin has been in my "hand" for over four years. What you see is what I see when I hold it. It truly amazes me when some people can criticize other peoples photos with no knowledge of what the "real" object even looks like. >>



I don't need to know what the coin looks like in hand to know what color noise looks like in a photograph. Sorry, but it is a poor photograph. It can be improved by turning down the ISO setting and throwing more light at the subject. Don't be amazed. It's constructive criticism designed to improve photos.

I can only wish I saw the same coin you see. But the rim areas especially, where I am supposed to see cool dark toning with the cool colors...I see a region where the contrast drops off and I see distracting speckly colors. I may be trained to identify this photographic condition and hate it more than others. I may also be somewhat spoiled by good equipment.

But i'm afraid that the photo really doesn't give me a good impression of what the real object looks like.

Don't get upset. Just get Marks book and some better lighting. I'm sure it's a nice coin and I really am wishing I saw it like you see it. But I think the photo gets in the way. >>



The only lighting I use, and ever will use, is natural sunlight. Anyhow, I did turn my ISO back to 100. This is the result:

adamlaneus

Awesome! That is much better. Much much better!

Now, I see what you mean. Yes, I do like original coins like this, very much so.

I think it was the green speckles that I could not see through without intense internal rage. Sort of looked like whole-coin PVC damage. That's what I saw anyway.

Thanks for taking the time to post a nicer image of your coin. No hard feelings, I hope.



If you are using natural lighting, I guess the potential issue with turning your ISO all the way down is that you will get a slower shutter speed and may get blurriness due to camera shake. But that does not seem to be a problem in your latest photo. I just can't stop with the photo advice apparently.

I've tried natural lighting with gold coins. It took a few minutes for me to get my vision back, as it pretty much blinded me.

Ricke

I completely agree.



This one got an AU58. For wear, it's a fair grade, but for color and eye appeal, it's a better example than a lot of MS grades you see out there. PCGS did a good job on the photo, too.

ksteelheader

<< <i>Awesome! That is much better. Much much better!

Now, I see what you mean. Yes, I do like original coins like this, very much so.

I think it was the green speckles that I could not see through without intense internal rage. Sort of looked like whole-coin PVC damage. That's what I saw anyway.

Thanks for taking the time to post a nicer image of your coin. No hard feelings, I hope.



If you are using natural lighting, I guess the potential issue with turning your ISO all the way down is that you will get a slower shutter speed and may get blurriness due to camera shake. But that does not seem to be a problem in your latest photo. I just can't stop with the photo advice apparently.

I've tried natural lighting with gold coins. It took a few minutes for me to get my vision back, as it pretty much blinded me. >>



I use a tripod, so the shakiness should be minimized. It takes a lot for us old farts to change our ways.

When you get to be 60, you'll understand.

No hard feelings.