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Do dealers’ eyes have a special, learned ability to look at small coins for a very long time?

LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
Maybe I am getting old, but if I look at a lot of very small coins for a very long period of time, my eyes tend to get tired. We all know that a dealer’s livelihood depends on his ability to look at thousands upon thousands of coins at a large show.

This might be an odd question, but does anyone know if a dealer’s eyes just get used to looking at so many coins in one sitting, even if they are very small coins? Like a weightlifter, is it just easier for a dealer to look at coins for a long time without getting tired because he uses his eyes in such a manner every single day?

Also, not to take this thread to a new level of strangeness, would a dealer be at an advantage over a competitor dealer by getting LASIK surgery and “ordering up” his eyes to a level of 20/10 or 20/5 or something like that? Would it make sense for a dealer to include in his advertisements that his eyes are more precise because of the surgery than another dealer’s?
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)

Comments

  • mirabelamirabela Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not in all cases. For instance, I rescued an 1864(P) seated dime out of one of my favorite dealers' melt bins the other day. It got past him and his assistant. I did not buy it, either. Strictly a case of "hey, look what's in here!"
    mirabela
  • lathmachlathmach Posts: 4,720
    Oh sure, Longacre.
    I've seen dealers with eye muscles so big their eyes bugged out.

    Ray
  • I want to reply, but I'm getting to tired to type just thinking about how tired I get when grading coins. I don't know how they do it.

    Rob

    I believe there have been people in other professions get Lasik for an advantage, so why not coin dealers???
    4/92
    4/123
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    Invested $216.76
    Return on Investment $0.68
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  • RWBRWB Posts: 8,082
    I understand that some are going to optical implants so they can instantly switch to 10x and 20x magnification without anyone noticing. Somewhat like the semi-psychotics with metal implants in their ears and a dazed look on their face as they thoughtlessly babble.
  • VTCoinsVTCoins Posts: 1,361 ✭✭✭
    My neck and back get sore when I look at coins too long. So far, my eyes are OK.
    Tim Puro
    Puro's Coins and Jewelry
    Rutland, VT

    (802)773-3883

    Link to my website www.vtcoins.com

    Link to my eBay auctions

    Buy, sell and trade all coins, US paper money, jewelry, diamonds and anything made of gold, silver or platinum.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,859 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I imagine most dealers and collectors are near sighted which helps in examining close up objects. My wife got LASIK surgery and she tried to convince me to do the same. I told her being near sighted was a valuable asset to a coin collector.







    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

  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,253 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This is one area I feel I actually have some experience in, gazing for hours on end at tiny coins that is. When I used to use a cheap plastic triplex loupe my eyes would indeed fatique after a while. Since I've begun using a high quality loupe with zero distortion I haven't had a problem at all. All day long with the half dimes and I'm ready to read a fine print book.

    image




  • planetsteveplanetsteve Posts: 1,425 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I imagine most dealers and collectors are near sighted which helps in examining close up objects. My wife got LASIK surgery and her eyes and she tried to convince me to do the same. I told her being near sighted was a valuable asset to a coin collector. >>



    On my last yearly checkup my opthamologist suggested that long hours in front of a computer monitor may be a cause of or at least an aggravating factor for nearsightedness. Wouldn't that be something...
  • Musky1011Musky1011 Posts: 3,904 ✭✭✭✭
    try looking at this small GOLD coin for a while
    image
    Pilgrim Clock and Gift Shop.. Expert clock repair since 1844

    Menomonee Falls Wisconsin USA

    http://www.pcgs.com/SetRegistr...dset.aspx?s=68269&ac=1">Musky 1861 Mint Set
  • OKbustchaserOKbustchaser Posts: 5,546 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>This is one area I feel I actually have some experience in, gazing for hours on end at tiny coins that is. When I used to use a cheap plastic triplex loupe my eyes would indeed fatique after a while. Since I've begun using a high quality loupe with zero distortion I haven't had a problem at all. All day long with the half dimes and I'm ready to read a fine print book.

    image >>



    Yeah, yeah, just wait 10 years you little whippersnapper.image
    Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.
  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,253 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>This is one area I feel I actually have some experience in, gazing for hours on end at tiny coins that is. When I used to use a cheap plastic triplex loupe my eyes would indeed fatique after a while. Since I've begun using a high quality loupe with zero distortion I haven't had a problem at all. All day long with the half dimes and I'm ready to read a fine print book.

    image >>



    Yeah, yeah, just wait 10 years you little whippersnapper.image >>

    10 years, no sweat. I'm tellin' ya it's all about quality optics image
  • wayneherndonwayneherndon Posts: 2,357 ✭✭✭
    I was near sighted and it was super for looking at coins. About a year ago I had lasik. I'm now 20/15 but am no longer near sighted. I actually have to use a loupe some now. I also see the coin better now by holding it a bit further away.

    WH
  • OKbustchaserOKbustchaser Posts: 5,546 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    Yeah, yeah, just wait 10 years you little whippersnapper.image >>

    10 years, no sweat. I'm tellin' ya it's all about quality optics image >>



    So you say now, but the day will come when you have to throw away all of the baby coins and start looking at grownup ones. Why, even Barndog bought a new quarter the other day!image
    Just because I'm old doesn't mean I don't love to look at a pretty bust.
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
    Lasik would be counter-productive as the nearsightedness is what allows the dealer to see the coins up close. If the nearsightedness is corrected, then he will need reading glasses and/or magnification.

    And yes, you are getting old, Longacre.

    P.S. Please give me your address so I know where to send the bill for this consultation image
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Lasik would be counter-productive as the nearsightedness is what allows the dealer to see the coins up close. If the nearsightedness is corrected, then he will need reading glasses and/or magnification.

    And yes, you are getting old, Longacre.

    P.S. Please give me your address so I know where to send the bill for this consultation image >>





    I was waiting for the board's only opthamologist to respond. Regarding the bill, please submit it to United Healthcare, but I will be happy to pay my $5 co-pay (by credit card, of course). image
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • I'll spend 3 hours straight going therough unsearched wheats, and although my eyes eventually will start to hurt, it doesn't bother me. I just love to look at coins
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I was waiting for the board's only opthamologist to respond. Regarding the bill, please submit it to United Healthcare, but I will be happy to pay my $5 co-pay (by credit card, of course). image >>


    You can Paypal me your copay, which, by the way, will be $10 for misspelling ophthalmologist. I've never given you the discourtesy of misspelling tacks loyer, have I?

    BTW, there is another ophthalmologist on the board. It's been a long time since I've seen him post and I forget his handle, but he's a Jeff Nickel guy.

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