Home› U.S. Coin Forum
Options

Recommendation for magnifying glass?

GOWYOGOWYO Posts: 141 ✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Im new to coin collecting/home grading and im looking to buy a lighted magnifying lens. What should I be looking for? What power? Desktop or rolling etc... any help would be greatly appreciated!

image
Successful BST with : Wondercoin, DenverDave

Comments

  • Options
    noownoow Posts: 387
    Hello, welcome to the forums image

    A 5x handheld loupe is the general standard for examining coins.
    My BST
  • Options
    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Welcome aboard... a 3x,6x loupe is what I would recommend and Zeiss glass is the best.. well, if not the best, as good as one other... good glass is important to avoid distortion and get the full benefit of the lens surface. Cheers, RickO
  • Options
    timcointimcoin Posts: 674 ✭
    If your budget allows, and if you are good at not losing things, get yourself a nice Zeiss loupe.
  • Options
    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Im new to coin collecting/home grading and im looking to buy a lighted magnifying lens. What should I be looking for? What power? Desktop or rolling etc... any help would be greatly appreciated! >>



    do a search via this forum for vast amounts of information and links on this subject

    in the year or so i've been here i've noticed a lot of repeat subjects and it is good to revisit a lot of these subjects but please don't discount the amount of

    information and debating sitting in the old threads waiting to be called upon
    .
    i use a zeiss 3x6x9 and the clarity, field width and magnification is great for day to day
    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

  • Options
    LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
    For the beginner I don't recommend a lighted magnifier and to put it bluntly most of the expensive lens are not needed yet.

    Brett Kruger has the BL-PM813133 5x Bausch & Lomb Packett Magnifier on sale and is a handy little item that fits the bill for the beginer IMO. Link

    Yes if you stay at it and get into finding varitieys and such a better lens will be needed down the line.

    image
    My Current project....https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/160794
  • Options
    291fifth291fifth Posts: 25,205 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The Eschenbach model 1177 5x is an excellent choice for grading.
    All glory is fleeting.
  • Options
    GreeniejrGreeniejr Posts: 1,321 ✭✭✭
    The Bausch and Lomb 5X sliding magnifier is the best value and is downright cheap. It has a nice viewing area and decent optics. It is best for most beginners and mid-level collectors as long as you are not messing with varieties. I use a 3+6 Eschenbach for my day to day loop.
  • Options
    NewEnglandRaritiesNewEnglandRarities Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭✭
    I highly recommend the Eschenbach 3x6 if it is an affordable option for you. It offers as much magnification as you would need for grading, looking at surfaces, etc. and the field of vision is fantastic.

    Here is a link. Loop 3x6
    New England Rarities...Dealer In Colonial Coinage and Americana
  • Options
    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,578 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I use the 3X+6X=9X Zeiss model 36D and love it. A bit pricey but I'm worth it.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

  • Options
    DoubleEagle59DoubleEagle59 Posts: 8,431 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The most important thing when buying a loupe is make sure it's a good quality 'triplet lense'.

    This will ensure there is no chromatic and spherical aberrations.
    "Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)

    "“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)

    "I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
  • Options
    TexasNationalsTexasNationals Posts: 3,837 ✭
    I agree with my brother Ricko-Zeiss
  • Options
    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The Eschenbach model 1177 5x is an excellent choice for grading. >>



    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • Options
    botanistbotanist Posts: 524 ✭✭✭
    I recommend getting an Eschenbach 5X handheld magnifier with LED illumination and on-off switch. Great optics. Because it has such a wide field of vision, you can look through the lens at a coin using both eyes, instead of squinting with one eye. Get 5X because that's the magnification usually used by TPG graders. Unfortunately, it'll set you back a C-note. It's only if you're very serious about numismatics. Just for you to recognize what it looks like, here's a link to it on Amazon, but I'm not endorsing any seller. Try to shop around first, you can maybe find it for less.

    Link
  • Options
    lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,895 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My two favorites. Not big on lighted ones. These are both Eschenbach.
    Lance.

    image

    image
    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • Options
    MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,613 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've picked up several over the years.

    IMO, if you are a beginner, it doesn't make much difference. I use the ones I have interchangeably. I do have a Zeiss and it's probably the one I use most.

    I think 5X is probably the optimum power...although I do have a 16X that I use when I want to make sure the 55DDO Lincoln I just bought is authentic, or something like that.

    If I were you, I'd go to a large show and try out several and see what you like best. People's eyes are different.
  • Options
    mingotmingot Posts: 1,807 ✭✭✭


    << <i>My two favorites. Not big on lighted ones. These are both Eschenbach.
    Lance.
    image >>



    Love this one.

    Sell me a coin or three!
  • Options
    291fifth291fifth Posts: 25,205 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>My two favorites. Not big on lighted ones. These are both Eschenbach.
    Lance.
    image >>



    Love this one. >>



    That is the model 1177.
    All glory is fleeting.
  • Options
    AbsolutionAbsolution Posts: 336 ✭✭✭
    I got a 40x, but I wouldn't reccommend it. The 70s will no longer look good ><

    Ordered the Zeiss one =)
    Successful BST Transactions with: RMLTM79 (seller), Gerard (seller), bgman (buyer), Coinflip (buyer) | Positive Vendor Transactions/Service with: Stuppler & Company (seller)
  • Options
    LostSislerLostSisler Posts: 521 ✭✭✭
    I realized after I bought my Eschenbach 5x, that I didn't need a loupe for grading, so I gave it away (!).

    I did keep my Esch 8x Triplet for Cherrypicking though.

    I've used them all and the build, optics and finish on the Eschenbachs are the best.
    Because to Err is Human.
    I specialize in Errors, Minting, Counterfeit Detection & Grading.
    Computer-aided grading, counterfeit detection, recognition and imaging.
  • Options
    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    .

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

  • Options
    LanceNewmanOCCLanceNewmanOCC Posts: 19,999 ✭✭✭✭✭
    .
    don't know what happened with that double post, weird.

    i compared my zeiss 3x6x9 and HE harris 16x to a nifty 20x I saw today, and the 20x smokes my 16x.

    only reason i didn't buy it on the spot was a friend mentioned seeing a 30x and i wanted to compare it to my 3x6x9 and 16x before committing to the 20x.

    i see opportunities approaching...

    <--- look what's behind the mask! - cool link 1/NO ~ 2/NNP ~ 3/NNC ~ 4/CF ~ 5/PG ~ 6/Cert ~ 7/NGC 7a/NGC pop~ 8/NGCF ~ 9/HA archives ~ 10/PM ~ 11/NM ~ 12/ANACS cert ~ 13/ANACS pop - report fakes 1/ACEF ~ report fakes/thefts 1/NCIS - Numi-Classes SS ~ Bass ~ Transcribed Docs NNP - clashed coins - error training - V V mm styles -

  • Options
    leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,550 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If the 5x doesn't suit you, you can always get a hands-free one.

    image
    image
    image


    image

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • Options
    PeacemonkeyPeacemonkey Posts: 384 ✭


    << <i>My two favorites. Not big on lighted ones. These are both Eschenbach.
    Lance.


    image >>



    +1 on this. The FOV isnt huge but the optics are super crisp.
  • Options
    DieClashDieClash Posts: 3,688 ✭✭✭
    If you're interested in a hand-held portable loupe than by far many of the recommendations here are worthy.

    If you're more static and interested in viewing your coins in hand at home then the Dino-Lite Digital Microscope camera is for you!!
    "Please help us keep these boards professional and informative…. And fun." - DW
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
  • Options
    pruebaspruebas Posts: 5,248 ✭✭✭✭✭
    FYI, Zeiss loupes do NOT have glass lenses. They are (high quality) plastic. If you happen to get acetone on it, it's toast.
  • Options
    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,578 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>FYI, Zeiss loupes do NOT have glass lenses. They are (high quality) plastic. If you happen to get acetone on it, it's toast. >>



    Zeiss makes several models of loupes. The higher end models are optical glass that have been coated and they are first rate quality lenses.

    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

  • Options
    homerunhallhomerunhall Posts: 2,496 ✭✭✭

    We use 5 power in the PCGS grading room. To me, you need 5 power to see what you need to see. Anything over 5 power kind of makes you "see too much", if you know what I mean. Some coins, like Morgan dollars, I seem to be able to grade without magnication. The smaller coins should definitely be graded with magnification. That's just my feeling. Different graders have different approaches and some use 6 power, and a few use 10 power.
    hrh

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Home • U.S. Coin ForumComment As ...