Advise on flatbed scanner for imaging coins

MMB · May 2, 2008 9:01AM

I have a CCE dealer that wants recommendations on what Flatbed Scanner and software to purchase for
imaging coins in holders. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Nothing that would require being a rocket scientist.

Mike

adamlaneus · May 2, 2008 9:04AM

I would strongly recommend against that. Flatbed scanners have optics designed for scanning flat paper on the glass.

Coins in slabs have enough depth to them that you will encounter focus issues. Furthermore, the out-of-focus blur you will see is not 'gaussian' as a camera lens would do, but smeared in one axis. It is a very poor, odd look. Personally, I refuse to consider buying any coin imaged in this manner.

A cheap camera with a closeup lens would do better.

kieferscoins · May 2, 2008 9:13AM

Tell him scanners died in the late 90's when digital cameras took over. You can buy a brand new digital camera for $150 and it would work well for taking pics of coins.

Cameron Kiefer

coinpictures · May 2, 2008 9:21AM

Friends don't let friends image coins with a flat bed scanner.

options26 · May 2, 2008 9:31AM

I use a scanner for all my coins since I don't have any photo skills. That being said it works well for me to get close ups and works well with circ. coins. But try and scan a BU coin and it looks flat and cleaned. If they are selling coins, I highly recommend AGAINST using a scanner. Ultimately it will effect your bottom line. Here is an example of a coin I purchased a month or so ago. Beautiful coin and I think both pics don't do it justice. First is a photo and second is a scan.

jessewvu · May 2, 2008 9:33AM

best advice is just don't do it.

adamlaneus · May 2, 2008 9:35AM

I stand corrected. I did not know that some scanners could image a slabbed coin, but "options26" has posted a photo that does not have the focus issues I talked about.

Still, it's not the best way to present your wares.

BECOKA · May 2, 2008 9:37AM

If you want to see how bad coins look scanned go to David Lawrence. Because it looks so bad and they received so many complaints it looks like they sent someone to be trained in coin photography and things will get better.

Stay away from scanners to sell coins.

BECOKA · May 2, 2008 9:41AM

<< I stand corrected. I did not know that some scanners could image a slabbed coin, but "options26" has posted a photo that does not have the focus issues I talked about.

Still, it's not the best way to present your wares. >>

Most deep bed scanners scan scan the depth needed for coins, but as you pointed out most of the time they come out lifeless. The plus side is there is no work invloved in getting details/focus. Downside is well that has been said enough.

erroid · May 2, 2008 9:43AM

I don't have a camera and use a HP C8180(all in one). Yes I do have trouble at times, especially with close-ups, and it turns toned pieces into swamp mud....

options26 · May 2, 2008 9:59AM

BY the way, I use a cannon 4200F, I know there are better out there, but this one works for my personnal use just fine. If I was selling, see many of Russ' posts. I am starting to practice with a camera, but it's getting frustrating. Here is another scan of a slab.

MMB · May 4, 2008 1:16AM

Thanks Everyone, for the response, I will pass this thread on to the CCE Dealer.

Mike

TomB · May 4, 2008 1:34AM

I have a Visioneer 8100 scanner that I bought in 1999 or so. It is a dedicated scanner that is not a printer, which is something that I believe is important to the quality of the scans. Although I rarely scan coins anymore, there was a time when all my images were scans. Currently, I use it to scan each entire slab when I buy a new coin and I save the image. The scanner, when new, cost $99 and the software was simple to install. It works fairly well for circulated coins and works less well for mint state coins. It does, however, have problems with brilliant proof coins. There has never been an issue with focus in my usage. Here are two scans to look at-

stman · May 4, 2008 1:40AM

<< Tell him scanners died in the late 90's when digital cameras took over. >>

Interesting, I joined here I believe 2002 and most folks used scanners for a couple years after that. AND, we did just fine.

Signed, old dinosaur that still uses a scanner.

lope208 · May 4, 2008 1:41AM

I have tried taking some photos with my digital camera and they have come out fairly poorly so far. Nothing
that really captures the essence of the coins. Since I work in television and have a better eye with video
instead of still photography, perhaps I'll start taking short 5 second video clips of coins to post. Then I can
rotate them under the light and perhaps one can see more of the overall coin.

Hmm. I really should try this. Has anyone tried this method yet?

Boom · May 4, 2008 2:52AM

Back when I first started selling on ebay, I purchase and used an hp 2170 All-In-One printer, scanner, copier. Being I had absolutle Zero skill with a digital camera I did manage to eventually take decent scans but they just could not compare with all the beautiful digital photos obtained with cameras.

You CAN take "OK" scans with a lot of practice and editing but you will never be satisfied

I find, however, that brutally honest scanners make for excellent tools for screening coins for submission as nothing escapes them. Otherwise beautiful coins look bad as every little flaw, the slightest rub, becomes glaringly obvious.

There are many nice cameras on the market that take nice shots and actually cost less than the hp scanner. I strongly encourage you to shop around and purchase a decent camera and take a lot of pictures. Keep the manual handy and eventually you'll do OK!

Good Luck!

19Lyds · May 4, 2008 3:12AM

I use an HP 3970 Scanner and find it's ease of use very simple.

A scanner can be used for some nice closeups as well.

All of the above were done with a scanner and suit my needs just fine.

Setting up a camera can be quite challenging as you not only need the camera but you also need some method for stabilizing the camera in addition to proper lighting along with a lot of time experimenting with what gove the best image. A copy stand in not necessarily cheap! Lights can set you back some serious money as well not to mention that once the "studio" os set up, it needs to stay up.

A scanner on the other hand, takes up very little space and can meet your selling needs.

AU58WALKERS · May 4, 2008 3:16AM

This was done with a scanner:

drei3ree · June 23, 2008 1:29AM

Does anyone use an "all-in-one" scanner with success? I've found the quality to be poor on all that I've tried.

Thanks,

Dennis

mgoodm3 · June 23, 2008 1:46AM

With the right scanner, decent pics can be obtained. Cameras can do much better, but do take a little more money, setup and practice.

coinpictures · June 23, 2008 4:13AM

I'd be interested in seeing some more decent scanner pics along with the make and model of scanner used.

While I use my camera for most coins, it's not a "quick and dirty" workflow. I'd love to find an effective scanner method to use for cheaper raw coins that I intend to eBay; anything to cut down on the time overhead.

Obviously any lustrous and/or colorfully toned coins will still have to go the camera route, but I'm thinking primarily for circ coins...

Also, what spec/feature do you look at when determining whether a particular scanner has enough depth of focus?

Thanks.

ChuckC · June 23, 2008 5:18AM

<< Friends don't let friends image coins with a flat bed scanner. >>

Agreed.

MajorDuty · June 23, 2008 5:22AM

Scanning coins, sucks, literally all luster and life from the coin. You can get a camera for about the same price as a scanner, maybe even cheaper, and get much better results.

stman · June 23, 2008 5:23AM

For circulated coins I think a scanner works just fine. And it does take a lot of practice and a decent scanner. These days I just go for the straight on look,
and can usually nail the "look." I tried gold but it just didn't work good for me at all. Perhaps if I practiced for a long time, which isn't going to happen.

My latest scan, coin looks exactly like this.......

stman · June 23, 2008 5:27AM

And when I get a coin such as this, I scan it as well.

OK, I sent it to mgoodm3

doh · June 23, 2008 5:56AM

BUY A DIGITAL CAMERA!!!!!!!! Scanners are terrible on coins anyway, but it's even harder with slabbed coins since the coins themselves aren't flat against the bed of the scanner! The holders make it very difficult to focus on the coin properly...

stman · June 23, 2008 5:58AM

<< The holders make it very difficult to focus on the coin properly... >>

Disagree.

stman · June 23, 2008 6:05AM

coinpictures · June 23, 2008 6:16AM

stman, what make and model of scanner are you using?

stman · June 23, 2008 4:54PM

<< stman, what make and model of scanner are you using? >>

Epson Perfection, 2400. Note...... I've had it for quite a while so newer models have come out I suppose. I also use a piece of black velvet to cover the slab,
and scanner glass as well.

Frankcoins · June 23, 2008 5:34PM

Thin scanners and all in one types have optics suited only for flat images. Standalone scanners that are a couple of inches deep can usually handle
slabs, but the images are brutally honest since you can't adjust the lighting to "flatter" the coin. Visioneer and Microtek products from a few years ago can be bought for $10 at pawn shops, and you can download the latest software from the manufacturer.

erroid · June 23, 2008 10:38PM

HP C8180(all in one). Ok for my needs, but has its limitations; the bigest being unable to focus through the plastic on "close ups"....
Here's some scans of an ANACS MS64 1921 VAM-27A

It took 3+ tries on ST and the wing gouge to get it right. All in all, it's very "user friendly" despite the stated limitations.

seanq · June 23, 2008 11:44PM

I have a really old Epson Expressions 636 which was awesome for scanning coins, including slabs. I've tried a few newer scanners and they don't come close to the image depth I get with the older model. My only problem now is getting drivers for newer versions of Windows; the last one I found for XP didn't have any of the fine controls of the older versions and the image quality suffered accordingly. It also has a SCSI interface (as opposed to USB) and support for that is thin as well.

A couple of scans off the Epson 636: Certified:

Raw:

Sean Reynolds

Advise on flatbed scanner for imaging coins

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