A bit of exciting news from the Smithsonian

coindeuce

Announcing today their push to document artifacts in digital 3 dimension images. I'm looking forward to the possibility of being able to have a close examination of the National Coin Collection especially ultra rare and unique examples, since most of us will never have the privilege already afforded to those few members of the Classic Gold Collectors Club of examining these coins in hand. Sorry SaintGuru, those cell phone shots just won't cut it anymore.
Smithsonian 3-d imaging

AUandAG

It's one thing to do a bust sitting on a table or a Mastodon standing on four legs. Just how do you think
they will support a coin?? I have my doubts that this would be a good outcome.

bob

coindeuce

The process doesn't require a continuous 360 degree scan of an object. A coin could be scanned while resting on any flat surface. As long as the entire surface of the coin is scanned( obverse/reverse/edge), it can be consolidated into a composite that can be processed through software that will present the object alone.

dcarr

I don't think that scanning will have enough resolution to capture all the smallest details of a coin.

coindeuce

<< <i>I don't think that scanning will have enough resolution to capture all the smallest details of a coin. >>



If you watched the yahoo video, you'll see that a laser type scanner is being used. I would expect that laser would be very precise.

AuroraBorealis

ricko

Great.... although I think the coins may be a bit far down the list - just an opinion. Will be nice though and I imagine they would be available through a subscription... Cheers, RickO

19Lyds

Man oh man!

You think they'll scan the "special Business Strikes" from the 50's and early 70's! That'll be a treat!

Heck, I'd settle for standard 2D photographs!

Coinsponge

I wonder if they are going to send the files straight to China so we can get some good copies.