I have a Hastings 7x and 10x. I use the 7x almost exclusively unless I'm looking for something specific.
It's always scary when someone approaches the table using a portable electron microscope type of loupe looking to buy coins, but if they're selling.....
I use a 16x which everyone tells me is way too powerful and that I won't buy anything... I always respond by saying I just want to know what I am buying. It was inexpensive...no more than $20. I refuse to spend more because I have a habit of leaving them at dealer tables at shows...
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I have several loupes - including B&L Hastings triplets, but the two I use 99% of the time are the Zeiss D36 and the Eschenbach equivalent. Both are wonderful loupes - I don't see any difference optically. They have great field of view and the ability to switch from 3x to 6x to 9x. But I give a slight nod to the Eschenbach only because it has a better way to hook it to a lanyard.
I don't mind spending more than $100 on a good loupe. It will pay for itself when you find that hairline or defect you wouldn't have seen otherwise.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
For everyday use I have a large wide angled ~8X glass from an industrial mass spectrometer. For close-ups I have a couple old scientific microscopes (one is portable) and a Hastings 18X. For look- ing at large numbers of coins I've got a ~6x power lens that's 5 inches across from an old X-ray ma- chine mounted on an arm on my desk.
I also use a 30X lens from a telescope for looking for seems and have several other glasses that get used on rare occasion.
I ordered a Harris/Anco 10x wide field loupe off the Brent-Krueger site a few days ago. It's a cheapie but hopefully it will be good enough for an absolute beginner.
I was completely sold on Zeiss until Newmismatist turned me on to Eschenbach. There is no comparisson between the two. The Eschenbach is the best I have ever "seen"
<< <i>I've used a 5x Eschenbach loupe since about 1990 or so. I'm on my second one. After about 12 years of use, the lense fell out. >>
They hold up pretty well, I have had my current one since 1997 and it is still in good working order. Some of the black paint you see in the photo above is chipped off, but other than that no problems.
If you are in the Western North Carolina area, please consider visiting our coin shop:
Interesting. I tried an Eschenbach once and didn't really care for it. I've been using 7x and 20x Hastings loupes for some time and am perfectly happy with them.
They hold up pretty well, I have had my current one since 1997 and it is still in good working order. Some of the black paint you see in the photo above is chipped off, but other than that no problems.
I've used a 5x Eschenbach loupe since about 1990 or so. I'm on my second one. After about 12 years of use, the lense fell out. I'm not sure how my first one broke. One of the teenagers borrowed it without asking ... then it was returned broken
I wear mine on a lanyard. Some of the black paint has also chipped off mine.
Well it sounds like everyone that responded here uses a good loupe. Maybe some differences should be pointed out between a cheap loupe and a good one so those that use those cheap chrome ones will know what they are missing. mike
Well it sounds like everyone that responded here uses a good loupe. Maybe some differences should be pointed out between a cheap loupe and a good one so those that use those cheap chrome ones will know what they are missing. mike
Lower quality optics tend to have more distortion, whihcnin turn makes it more difficult to get a true sense of what the viewer is looking at. An added advantage of the 5x Eschenbach loupe is that it has a relatively large viewing area.
Most graders use a 5-7X loupe for grading. I occasionaly use a 10x or 20x when looking for certain varieties and when looking for certain signs of alteration/counterfeit detection.
Comments
bausch and lomb hastings triplet 20x
medium big old projector lens from circa turn of the century 1900 4x or so just recently stopped using
cheap piece of sh!t 10x double glass loupe made in china
michael
It's always scary when someone approaches the table using a portable electron microscope type of loupe looking to buy coins, but if they're selling.....
LSCC#1864
Ebay Stuff
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I don't mind spending more than $100 on a good loupe. It will pay for itself when you find that hairline or defect you wouldn't have seen otherwise.
“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!
close-ups I have a couple old scientific microscopes (one is portable) and a Hastings 18X. For look-
ing at large numbers of coins I've got a ~6x power lens that's 5 inches across from an old X-ray ma-
chine mounted on an arm on my desk.
I also use a 30X lens from a telescope for looking for seems and have several other glasses that get
used on rare occasion.
Zeiss loupes are available from Margolis 305-865-3487 or loupeman@bell-south.net.
Eschenbach loupes are availble here:
Safe (you may have to look around in this site)
Hope that helps.
“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!
No. 9870-F - 1-1/16" diameter biconvex glass lens with 5X magnification in a chrome plated body.
Here is the link to the page referred to by Cameonut
Safe
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
At least I never have to worry about losing it and no one's ever made fun of me for using it or has declined to borrow it!
Check out the Southern Gold Society
When two friends, one a dealer, refused to use my Hastings 7x, the writing was on the wall.
Actually use my camera more now as a magnifier.
Good point, Mark. But it's cumbersome to use it a show to look at auction lots or coins on the bourse.
I will have to check out an Eshenbach.
And lamps? Good point. I stand corrected.
jom
WNC Coins, LLC
1987-C Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
wnccoins.com
<< <i>I've used a 5x Eschenbach loupe since about 1990 or so. I'm on my second one. After about 12 years of use, the lense fell out. >>
They hold up pretty well, I have had my current one since 1997 and it is still in good working order. Some of the black paint you see in the photo above is chipped off, but other than that no problems.
WNC Coins, LLC
1987-C Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
wnccoins.com
Zeiss D-36 (24/12) aplanatic-achromatic magnifier. The best I have found. Use it daily.
Our eBay auctions - TRUE auctions: start at $0.01, no reserve, 30 day unconditional return privilege & free shipping!
<< <i>The Eschenbach is the best I have ever "seen" >>
Yep!!
I use a 6x and 12x Eschenbach.
I've used a 5x Eschenbach loupe since about 1990 or so. I'm on my second one. After about 12 years of use, the lense fell out.
I'm not sure how my first one broke. One of the teenagers borrowed it without asking ... then it was returned broken
I wear mine on a lanyard. Some of the black paint has also chipped off mine.
Lower quality optics tend to have more distortion, whihcnin turn makes it more difficult to get a true sense of what the viewer is looking at. An added advantage of the 5x Eschenbach loupe is that it has a relatively large viewing area.
Most graders use a 5-7X loupe for grading. I occasionaly use a 10x or 20x when looking for certain varieties and when looking for certain signs of alteration/counterfeit detection.