Anybody Have a Coin Lamp Recommendation?

Wahoo554 · February 18, 2019 11:13AM

I'm looking to buy a good desk lamp for viewing coins. Based on what I've read, it sounds like a swing arm or tensor lamp with 75W-100W incandescent bulb is a good setup. Looking for something with a base, rather than a lamp that clips to the edge of a desk. Amazon reviews are a mixed bag, and it seems many of them aren't compatible for high wattage. Would appreciate any brand/model recommendations that would help simplify my search. Thanks.

RogerB · February 18, 2019 12:14PM

Hmmmmm.....Coins are awfully small. I really don't think you could make a good lamp out of one - or even several. The bulb would also have to be small although 1 or 2 LEDs might fit. Maybe you could find a decorative wood turning for the pole and something interesting for the base....? Not much help here...sorry. Some of the members who do woodworking can probably help.

Insider2 · February 18, 2019 12:17PM

Lighting requirements depend on what you wish to see. Are you authenticating coins, grading them or looking for tiny varieties?

The most basic light is a 75 to 100W incandescent lamp. This is not adequate for certain applications but it is the typical starting point.

Wahoo554 · February 18, 2019 12:42PM

@Insider2 said:
Lighting requirements depend on what you wish to see. Are you authenticating coins, grading them or looking for tiny varieties?

The most basic light is a 75 to 100W incandescent lamp. This is not adequate for certain applications but it is the typical starting point.

I'd be looking for lighting that is bright and direct enough to help see tiny varieties and also sufficient for grading analysis as well. Not looking for anything too fancy, but I'm currently operating with shaded lamps that just don't get the job done. Just interested in finding a good swing arm or tensor lamp that does not break the bank, but doesn't fall apart or have the innumerable issues that you see pop up in various Amazon reviews.

krueger · February 18, 2019 1:19PM

Graders like 100 watt bulbs. I am not a fan.

Get you a nice Zeiss or Eschenbach 3x6x=9X loupe
a good more expensive loupe works fine with lesser strength lighting because of its clarity and brightness. rotating the coin around you can see what you need to see.
My 3x6x=9x loupes are for grading with a light. My working loupe at shows is a bausch and lomb 3x4x=7x. larger diameter lenses for more eye relief.
4x for quick scans of coins and the 3x can see coins thru must glass cases at shows, before you ask a dealer to pull it out.
these can still be found at some B&M shops as they are no longer made ($25.). Some well known dealers/ graders use either or both of these two loupes.

100 watts is Harsh on my old eyes, remember the light off the coin thru the loupe or not is reflected right close into your eyes.
terrible if using halogen can cause cataract development.

I use a reveal 60 watt bulb for better color rendition.
also a Ott lamp fluorescent for a different look. Can see wear better with it.

Some dealers now using Ikea's clip on edge or with stand base ,black small round LED lamps
taking place of old tensor lamps. they were $10 to $14. at IKEA.
more on eBay.

Krueger. 44 years a collector, I have Done literally hundreds shows!

Insider2 · February 18, 2019 1:38PM

I my experience a tensor lamp is only useful to see hairlines and marks. You can probably use it for tiny varieties also. It is not a very good light to tell if a coin is fully MS. Same goes for halogen light. The only time I use halogen is as a double light pipe instrument when working at extremely high powers of magnification with a microscope.

I'm going to leave you with the 100W desk lamp in a dark room. Use a 5X - 7X lens for grading and get a 14X - 20X Triplet for micro varieties. Whatever you decide, keep your grading light and magnification constant.

DiggerJim · February 18, 2019 1:47PM

I’m the newbie on the block so for what it’s worth here’s my setup. My eyes are in decent shape. It’s fluorescent and it works for me.

Insider2 · February 18, 2019 2:17PM

Florescent light is great for grading with the "right" setup; otherwise you will have difficulty seeing hairlines and marks. The ONLY WAY it works as it should is when you are grading with two eyes using a microscope set at 5X - 7X. This allows you to see most size coins all at once with good depth of field. You still need to rotate and tip the coin during the exam.

The Florescent set up in your image will allow you to see any change of color on the coin's high parts where the surface is no longer original. That is one of the reasons dealers discourage this type of lighting for grading. I suggest you add a small incandescent light at one side of your working area. Then you'll have the best of both worlds.

Cougar1978 · February 18, 2019 2:25PM

Target architect lamp, 100 watt bulb.

MrEureka · February 18, 2019 2:32PM

@Insider2 said:
Florescent light is great for grading with the "right" setup; otherwise you will have difficulty seeing hairlines and marks. The ONLY WAY it works as it should is when you are grading with two eyes using a microscope set at 5X - 7X. This allows you to see most size coins all at once with good depth of field. You still need to rotate and tip the coin during the exam.

The Florescent set up in your image will allow you to see any change of color on the coin's high parts where the surface is no longer original. That is one of the reasons dealers discourage this type of lighting for grading.

Then again, probably less than one in 1000 coin dealers have ever tried grading a coin under a microscope.

Broadstruck · February 18, 2019 2:34PM

Halogen lighting for coin viewing or grading is the only way to go.

Wahoo554 · February 18, 2019 3:16PM

Thanks for all the helpful responses. It sounds like my question was more loaded than I initially thought, and that there's a good amount of differing opinions. It sounds like high wattage incandescent is a good basic setup for my general purposes. Is there any significant advantage/disadvantage between LED vs. incandescent?

Proofmorgan · February 18, 2019 3:50PM

Bought an OTT Lamp for the first time this year, very pleased.

Namvet69 · February 18, 2019 3:53PM

So what's wrong with whale oil?

Insider2 · February 18, 2019 4:31PM

@MrEureka said:

@Insider2 said:
Florescent light is great for grading with the "right" setup; otherwise you will have difficulty seeing hairlines and marks. The ONLY WAY it works as it should is when you are grading with two eyes using a microscope set at 5X - 7X. This allows you to see most size coins all at once with good depth of field. You still need to rotate and tip the coin during the exam.

The Florescent set up in your image will allow you to see any change of color on the coin's high parts where the surface is no longer original. That is one of the reasons dealers discourage this type of lighting for grading.

Then again, probably less than one in 1000 coin dealers have ever tried grading a coin under a microscope.

It's good they don't. It takes decades of experience to learn what you are looking at - what is important and what is not. I have a very basic philosophy when it comes to coin examination. I wish to see EVERYTHING THERE IS TO SEE ON A COIN so I can make an informed appraisal of its condition of preservation from the day it was struck.

Playing around with a microscope is like giving an infant a loaded gun! A rookie dealer/collector using a scope might think every coin is junk. Let me tell you a funny story members may enjoy. One year at the ANA Summer Seminar
I had a dealer student. As I remember, he was a pretty good student. The next year, his partner took the same course I taught and during the introductions he told the class that his partner was a student the summer before and he hasn't bought as coin since! LOL, I'm sure he was exaggerating just a little but I'm pretty sure his partner had become more strict. Extremely strict while seeing everything there is to see is great, but you must learn to back-off and be realistic so that you are at the same level as your peers. I've been allowed to grade and authenticate coins with a stereo scope on my desk at every TPGS I've ever worked at.

@Proofmorgan said:
Bought an OTT Lamp for the first time this year, very pleased.

Another story. At a major show a dealer came up to the table to share the joy of purchasing the blazing white "Gem" he had "stolen" in a deal. It was a beauty! I put it under the scope and his "beauty" was actually an AU. In the show lighting, it was blast white. Under the florescent it had a gray color on the high points where the friction wear became apparent. He didn't believe me so I asked him to come around and examine his "gem" under florescent light using the lowest setting on the zoom - 4.5X. He bought an OTT light that night and was using it at his table the next day. There is a good reason not to look at "Mint State" coins using florescent lighting.

Insider2 · February 18, 2019 4:33PM

@Wahoo554 said:
Thanks for all the helpful responses. It sounds like my question was more loaded than I initially thought, and that there's a good amount of differing opinions. It sounds like high wattage incandescent is a good basic setup for my general purposes. Is there any significant advantage/disadvantage between LED vs. incandescent?

You may see if someone is making a "daylight" color bulb of either type. Glare is your enemy!

DiggerJim · February 18, 2019 4:40PM

@Insider2 said:
Florescent light is great for grading with the "right" setup; otherwise you will have difficulty seeing hairlines and marks. The ONLY WAY it works as it should is when you are grading with two eyes using a microscope set at 5X - 7X. This allows you to see most size coins all at once with good depth of field. You still need to rotate and tip the coin during the exam.

The Florescent set up in your image will allow you to see any change of color on the coin's high parts where the surface is no longer original. That is one of the reasons dealers discourage this type of lighting for grading. I suggest you add a small incandescent light at one side of your working area. Then you'll have the best of both worlds.

Thanks for the tip @Insider2. 👍

Nic · February 18, 2019 6:45PM

@Cougar1978 said:
Target architect lamp, 100 watt bulb.

Can you provide a current link or # ?

Thank you

Justacommeman · February 18, 2019 6:55PM

I once handed a dealer a coin. He took it to a back table and put it under a “special lamp”. After 5 minutes of mumbling under his breath and literally having a conversation with the lamp said, “ I’ll give you 12 grand for this.” Without hesitation I told him to go back and ask the lamp if he will pay 15.

m

mwonumismatics · February 18, 2019 7:01PM

I use a fairly high-powered LED ring light, not exactly sure on the wattage but it's pretty strong. Very good for seeing tiny marks and hairlines, but it heavily washes out luster and it makes coins look dull.

Nic · February 18, 2019 7:38PM

@Broadstruck said:
Halogen lighting for coin viewing or grading is the only way to go.

I disagree! Not that that means anything. -)

Insider2 · February 19, 2019 6:29PM

@Justacommeman said:
I once handed a dealer a coin. He took it to a back table and put it under a “special lamp”. After 5 minutes of mumbling under his breath and literally having a conversation with the lamp said, “ I’ll give you 12 grand for this.” Without hesitation I told him to go back and ask the lamp if he will pay 15.

m

ROTFL I really hope this gets into the "BEST OF" section. I'm tempted to flag it just to make sure the mods see it.

Anybody Have a Coin Lamp Recommendation?

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