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What magnifiers do you use for coins?

291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,707 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I have accumulated several over a period of many years:

Eschenbach Model 1177 5x - My favorite for grading. Easy to carry to shows. Very sturdy and compact.

Bausch & Lomb Hastings Triplet 7x, 10x, 14x, 20x - used for viewing varieties.

What do you use?
All glory is fleeting.

Comments

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,876 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Too many to list. My best is a 3X6X9X D36 Zeiss. Expensive but worth it.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • yellowkidyellowkid Posts: 5,486 ✭
    We had a thread like this over the winter, it led me to purchase an Eshenbach 4X + 6X, made of metal. It was over $100 but I feel it was money well spent. I love it!
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,621 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I purchased a couple hundred 5x key chain magnifiers to give out in the store as promotional/adverstising items. I usually use one of these even though I'm almost sure they're made in China.

    Should I take this deduction under office supplies or advertising ?
    I'm hoping Longacre will chime in. image


    ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

  • TassaTassa Posts: 2,373 ✭✭


    << <i>Too many to list. My best is a 3X6X9X D36 Zeiss. Expensive but worth it. >>



    That's a good one. Eschenbach is also very good. Unfortunately, I broke both my Zeiss and my Eschenbach so now I'm working with my good 'ol B&L Hastings Triplets-one 7x and one 10x.
    Jade Rare Coin
    Jade Rare Coin eBay Listings
  • lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,873 ✭✭✭✭✭
    real experts don't seem to need magnifiers,
    I have many.
    LCoopie = Les
  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Most all top graders are near sighted,and don't use a glass.
    I read that,somewhereimage
  • BaronVonBaughBaronVonBaugh Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Too many to list. My best is a 3X6X9X D36 Zeiss. Expensive but worth it. >>




    image
    I too have a 3X6X9X D36 Zeiss.
    1938-64_Jefferson_Nickel_Proofs
  • SeaEagleCoinsSeaEagleCoins Posts: 3,262 ✭
    I use a standard 5x unless I am trying to attribute or authenticate... then I use a 10x with a built in light... so far, that seems to work for me...
    Re: Slabbed coins - There are some coins that LIVE within clear plastic and wear their labels with pride... while there are others that HIDE behind scratched plastic and are simply dragged along by a label. Then there are those coins that simply hang out, naked and free image
  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,399 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I used the cheapo 10X loupes for quite a while, but hated them. I finally just got an Eschenbach 3/6/9 (which I should have done years ago) and it's fantastic. I can't believe how much more I use the loupe, just because it doesn't strain anything when I need a better look.
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,560 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>real experts don't seem to need magnifiers,
    I have many. >>


    Well, I'm no expert, but I rarely use a magnifier. I prefer to make a decision about a coin based on how it looks to my naked eye.

    Magnifiers do just that - they magnify marks or spots on a coin and often give a false impression of the importance or impact of those marks on the grade and eye appeal of a coin.

    I will use a magnifier to look at specific diagnostics of coins and minor varieties.

    I have a couple of nice ones. They were not cheap, but they were worth the money.
  • ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭
    image
    image
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,876 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Chris---Do you take that one to coin shows?image

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • kimber45ACPkimber45ACP Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭
    I have a Bausch & Lomb 10x jeweler's loupe, metal case, bought from my local jeweler.
    A 5x Carson LumiLoupe Stand Magnifier.
    A 3x SLIDING POCKET MAGNIFIER LOUPE

    I use them all, depending on what I want to see.
  • ChrisRxChrisRx Posts: 5,619 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Chris---Do you take that one to coin shows?image >>



    You KNOW it!

    image
    image
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    i use a 5 x and a doublet 10 power. im yet to find something with i wide field that i like.
  • mumumumu Posts: 1,840
    +1 for Eschenbach 3/6/9

    This may be a stupid question/comment but has anyone noticed that the FOV on this is differnet if you flip it upside down? I am not sure which way the right way up is suppose to be but at first I assumed it was with the little red decal facing up. This created a very small fully focused frame. By turning it upside down though(maybe its right side up) with the red dot pointed the gruound, the entire lens comes into focus and i now love the loupe 1 million times more. I cant imagine I am the only one to have made thsi mistake. Maybe this will help someone else get better use out of it.
  • ProofCentsProofCents Posts: 1,656
    I prefer the good old 10x loupe
  • etexmikeetexmike Posts: 6,852 ✭✭✭
    I also use the Eschenbach 3+6=9.

    Not expensive but far from cheap. A pretty good little glass. image


    Mike
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Zeiss D40 10x
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I use the 3X6X9X D36 Zeiss.... it has superb lens with no edge distortion. Cheers, RickO
  • CameonutCameonut Posts: 7,384 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I own both the Zeiss D36 and the Eschenbach 3+6=9 both are outstanding and I see no differences optically.
    But I prefer the Eschenbach because it feels better in my hand plus it has a ring for use on a lanyard.

    “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

    My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!

  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    << <i>real experts don't seem to need magnifiers,
    I have many. >>



    ...i'm thinking you're referring to the experts that have excellent young eye sight. image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    << <i>image >>



    ...image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • COALPORTERCOALPORTER Posts: 2,900 ✭✭
    Has anyone compared a Bausch & Lomb 7X triplet with a much more pricey Zeiss model ?

    I finally broke down and got a fairly nice B&L and it was a big step up from the dime store junk I used before. now I can see the whole coin at one time and there is not much destorion near the edges and there does not seem to be much problem with letting enough light get in - so I like it.

    And it does make a BIG difference when looking for hairlines / altered surface/ wizzing that the naked eye will probably miss. I was interesting to view a PCGS genuine coin with my eye and wondering what was wrong, but when viewed with a GOOD magnifier I could really see what was going on.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,876 ✭✭✭✭✭
    COALPORTER---I have several B&L Hastings triplet magnifiers and they are excellant. They have highly corrected and coated optics. The more expensive loupes such as Zeiss have a bigger field of view but they are more than twice as expensive.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • illini420illini420 Posts: 11,467 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have a 10x Bausch & Lomb Hasting Triplet that I've had for a few years... well I did lose it once at a local show, but a couple hours later at the same show I saw a very similar looking example in a dealers case and asked how much... it cost me $5 to either re-buy my loupe or to buy a new one that was an exact match image either way, $5 for one of those was a steal image

    Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448

  • PawPaulPawPaul Posts: 5,845 ✭
    I use a cheep 10X , and it gets lost more times then I can count
  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Since I look for varieties, I use an Eschenbach 12x.
    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
  • AtlanticAtlantic Posts: 573 ✭
    I use a 10X , a 16X when looking at varieties
    Collector Of Indian Cents!
    Fly-In Club
    My PCGS Registry Sets
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭

    ...depending on the mood, it could be any of these:

    image
    image
    image
    imageimage
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • rmpsrpmsrmpsrpms Posts: 1,954 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bausch and Lomb Stereo-2 Microscope with Ultra-Widefield 15X oculars. Not very portable, though.
    PM me for coin photography equipment, or visit my website:

    http://macrocoins.com
  • ArizonaJackArizonaJack Posts: 4,029 ✭✭✭
    I am a B&L Hastings 10X guy, but carry the 20X for varietys on person, you know the one that has a diameter of a pencil?
    Need a better general loupe for sure.
    " YOU SUCK " Awarded 5/18/08
  • melvin289melvin289 Posts: 3,019 ✭
    I carry a sliding B & L 5x magnifier with me at all times. I even use it a work to see small part numbers. I also have a folding 2 lens loupe which I think is a 10x.

    Ron
    Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    At home: Nikon 200mm macro
    On the road: Eschenbach 3/6/9
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>At home: Nikon 200mm macro >>



    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • rmpsrpmsrmpsrpms Posts: 1,954 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Actually, I must admit an alternate hobby...

    I tend to hobby-ify anything related to coin collecting, especially Lincoln Wheat Cents. It's silly, I know. But I collect ANYTHING numismatically related, and Lincoln-related. So, I have many, many magnifiers: pretty much all the range of B&L triplets, single lens, and microscopes including ST1/2/4/5/6/7. I guess I focus on B&L but also have Eschenbachs and Nikons. What I take with me to shows is my own pair of eyes (I am nearsighted and simply take off my glasses for viewing) plus an el-cheapo blue plastic 10x Chinese "microscope" that is <1" long for variety viewing. But once I get home, I have a plenitude of optics for my viewing pleasure.

    RayP
    PM me for coin photography equipment, or visit my website:

    http://macrocoins.com
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,842 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A 3X Baush & Lomb "snap out magifier" and a 10X Baush & Lomb Hasting triplet. Beyond I've got a scope at home, but I don't carry that to shows. image
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,209 ✭✭✭✭✭
    None. Never have.
    Early Dollar Set
  • LotsoLuckLotsoLuck Posts: 3,786 ✭✭✭
    image
  • silverpopsilverpop Posts: 6,748 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image

    Coins for Sale: Both Graded and Ungraded
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/oqym2YtcS7ZAZ73D6

  • determineddetermined Posts: 771 ✭✭✭
    I have a 3x + 6x = 9x D36 Zeiss. Which I think is great.

    But the magnifier I use most is a cheap 3 inch lens magnifying glass with a handle that I got from Office Depot. I use it to look at the coins in the often poorly lighted dealer's cases because of the large field of view. If I see something I like I ask to see it and use the Zeiss on it.

    So if you see someone at Northern California shows looking like some kind of Sherlock Holmes wanna be, that's me.
    I collect history in the form of coins.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,876 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>None. Never have. >>



    You don't know what you are missing.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • kruegerkrueger Posts: 905 ✭✭✭✭


    I use a B&L 5x slide for quick rough screening thru boxes, My eyes are not what they were.

    a Zeiss 3x,6x,9X (great clarity or depth of field all across the lens), 9X for closer looks.

    and a Hastings triplet 14x for varieties or authentication markers I want to see.

    Also carry a very nice big round 3.5X (50mm hand loupe with nurled rubber edge) glass from Edmund Scientific when my eyes get tired at large shows.

    Krueger


  • melvin289melvin289 Posts: 3,019 ✭


    << <i>None. Never have. >>



    Wait until you get old my friend. I used to look for 72 Double Die cents with my naked eyes and can't even make out the date on a cent now without my glasses.

    Ron
    Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>None. Never have. >>



    Wait until you get old my friend. I used to look for 72 Double Die cents with my naked eyes and can't even make out the date on a cent now without my glasses.

    Ron >>



    ...i hear ya ron. i too used to have all things workin' at peak levels. time has a way of throwin' a wrench into

    the body's workin's. image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington

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