Bought a 40x Jeweler's Glass and...WOWWWWW

Absolution · December 19, 2011 10:11AM

First I want to say I am very glad that 3 of 3 of my Reverse Proof 70s are 100% PERFECT! Well, actually it should be 2 OF 3 since 1 of them didn't have someone's white hair inside of it lol. What a difference looking with naked eye vs. a jeweler's magnifying glass w/LED light makes!

However, my other ones 70s and 69s I didn't notice it before but there's what appears to be nose hair on the side of the coin or some hair of some form in a few of them and part of a finger print on one. If I didn't have the glass I wouldn't have noticed it. Will probably attend one of the PCGS shows and ask them to see if they can remove it but wow what a difference a jeweler's eyeglass makes! I thought the LED light built in would be pointless but it's very bright and exposes a lot.

PS: Just noticed an orange spot on one of the 69s o.O

Moldnut · December 19, 2011 10:21AM

40x glass? Seems like overkill to me.

Unknown · December 19, 2011 10:21AM

This content has been removed.

Absolution · December 19, 2011 10:22AM

Someone was selling 40x glass on eBay for $1.99 and the ones below cost more...what is the ideal usually out of curiosity?

SONOMOSCA · December 19, 2011 10:25AM

I use a 3x and a 10x which seems to be more than enough, though I've never used a 40x. Now Im curious!

stealer · December 19, 2011 10:25AM

<< 

<< 40x glass? Seems like overkill to me. >>

Why? >>

Because it makes every problem massive. You ain't gonna find a true 70 with a 40x

ambro51 · December 19, 2011 10:26AM

Seems like a very short focus optic more suited to gems than coins. Of course we can go 100X or more blowing up digital images on the monitor. I find 10x nice for gold dollars but use a 3x magnifying glass to study the colonials

mrpaseo · December 19, 2011 10:27AM

I read somewhere that the graders don't go below 20X, the larger the magnification the more you will find. At 10X they grade (Don't quote me on this), anything seen beyond that is not considered in the grading.

Going way back in memory here... I could be way off

Ray

Harry779 · December 19, 2011 10:27AM

I use a 1x and all my coins are MS70+

Greeniejr · December 19, 2011 10:29AM

I usually use this rule.
Every day grading 5X
Surfaces and attribution 10X
Rarely 20X for authentication

To truly appreciate a coin... MY TWO EYES

stealer · December 19, 2011 10:29AM

<< I use a 1x and all my coins are MS70+ >>

They look better at .5x

pontiacinf · December 19, 2011 10:30AM

<< 40x glass? Seems like overkill to me. >>

thats an understatement

Moldnut · December 19, 2011 10:31AM

<< 

<< 40x glass? Seems like overkill to me. >>

Why? >>

I hope Mr. Willis will chime in here with this, but if Im not mistaken PCGS says to obtain the grade of MS70 a coin will have no defects of any kind visible with a 5X glass.

ambro51 · December 19, 2011 10:31AM

BTW.....1X is an object held 10 inches from your eye.

Absolution · December 19, 2011 10:33AM

Doh ok getting a 10x

Yeah with my two eyes I saw some shiny spots via a lamp when moving it around. With a 40x whoa ugly. It's like looking at my face with a mirror and then a telescope....wait...I'm not saying I'm ugly just saying you see stuff like nose hair etc.!

Well the good news at least when I looked through 40x my 2011-P PCGS MS70 looked absolutely perfect (save 1 white hair).

SONOMOSCA · December 19, 2011 10:33AM

<< I read somewhere that the graders don't go below 20X, the larger the magnification the more you will find. At 10X they grade (Don't quote me on this), anything seen beyond that is not considered in the grading.

Going way back in memory here... I could be way off

Ray >>

I'm not 100% sure myself, but I think reading somewhere a few years back that graders use 5x when grading... again not sure. Does anyone know for certain?

messydesk · December 19, 2011 10:35AM

Setting aside my opinions of the difference between a 69 and a 70 for the moment, I would be wary of attempting to discern perfection with a 40x glass that cost $2.

Moldnut · December 19, 2011 10:36AM

<< 

<< I read somewhere that the graders don't go below 20X, the larger the magnification the more you will find. At 10X they grade (Don't quote me on this), anything seen beyond that is not considered in the grading.

Going way back in memory here... I could be way off

Ray >>

I'm not 100% sure myself, but I think reading somewhere a few years back that graders use 5x when grading... again not sure. Does anyone know for certain? >>

Yes, Ive just read it in PCGS coin grading and counterfeit detection book.

ambro51 · December 19, 2011 10:41AM

The white hairs are from the hoards of white mice which are caged in the PCGS grading room. They have been bred to actually do the grading. The "graders" are no more than mouse wranglers who monitor the actions of the grading mice as the scurry about looking for perfect 70 grade ASEs. When they find a perfect defect free coin they rear up on their little legs and squeak loudly. Seeing this from the mice the graders (mouse wranglers) then slab the coin. With a system like this of course some hairs will be shed

Absolution · December 19, 2011 10:43AM

<< Setting aside my opinions of the difference between a 69 and a 70 for the moment, I would be wary of attempting to discern perfection with a 40x glass that cost $2. >>

Oh, where would be a good place to get one? I think magnifying glass are all the same no? If not, let me know. Need to get a 10x one too. The one I bought was like this one (but it was at $1.99 earlier)...

40x Magnifying GLass

I'll post pictures of the coins when I create a photobucket account (one without the glass magnifying it and one with). BTW, I'm not trying to cause problems just thought it was interesting.

TomB · December 19, 2011 10:54AM

40x?!?!?! Far more than you need or should use. A 5x is plenty for most anything in coins.

LanceNewmanOCC · December 19, 2011 11:01AM

<< First I want to say I am very glad that 3 of 3 of my Reverse Proof 70s are 100% PERFECT! Well, actually it should be 2 OF 3 since 1 of them didn't have someone's white hair inside of it lol. What a difference looking with naked eye vs. a jeweler's magnifying glass w/LED light makes!

However, my other ones 70s and 69s I didn't notice it before but there's what appears to be nose hair on the side of the coin or some hair of some form in a few of them and part of a finger print on one. If I didn't have the glass I wouldn't have noticed it. Will probably attend one of the PCGS shows and ask them to see if they can remove it but wow what a difference a jeweler's eyeglass makes! I thought the LED light built in would be pointless but it's very bright and exposes a lot.

PS: Just noticed an orange spot on one of the 69s o.O >>

will you post an image of the 40x loupe por favor
.

GrumpyEd · December 19, 2011 11:06AM

For grading a 5x or 7x is fine.

I like bigger ones for attribution of varieties and also for checking the surface of coins if I question something about the surfaces.

EricSan · December 19, 2011 11:07AM

I have a 20x loupe that I find difficult to use at times. You have to be VERY close to the coin in order to see anything in focus. Getting your eye so close to the glass and keeping the glass close enough to the coin to see something leaves very little room for light to get in so you can actually SEE anything.

I think 5x to 10x is plenty.

lkeigwin · December 19, 2011 11:12AM

You're looking too hard.
Lance.

PerryHall · December 19, 2011 11:17AM

The strongest loupe I've ever seen is the B&L 20X and it was tiny. 40X is more likely a microscope or the manufacurer is exaggerating the magnification.

LanceNewmanOCC · December 19, 2011 11:36AM

<< I have a 20x loupe that I find difficult to use at times. You have to be VERY close to the coin in order to see anything in focus. Getting your eye so close to the glass and keeping the glass close enough to the coin to see something leaves very little room for light to get in so you can actually SEE anything. >>

TheBigB · December 19, 2011 11:40AM

I have a great 10x loupe to check for counterfeits or other defects, 5x is better for general use.

keyman64 · December 19, 2011 11:47AM

It is tough to view some Merc Varieties with only a 20x loupe....I wish I had a 40x, it sure would make my life easier.

Pokermandude · December 19, 2011 12:02PM

<< 

<< 

<< 40x glass? Seems like overkill to me. >>

Why? >>

Because it makes every problem massive. You ain't gonna find a true 70 with a 40x >>

Agreed. This is also why ATS they say upfront:

"... defines a Mint State or Proof 70 coin as having no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification."

personally, I mostly just use the 6x on my 4x6x10x loupe.

ambro51 · December 19, 2011 12:06PM

40X would need to be 1/4 inch away from both your eyeball and the subject.

jedm · December 19, 2011 2:14PM

7. "there is LED light, is helpful for you."

droopyd · December 19, 2011 2:20PM

<< PCGS says to obtain the grade of MS70 a coin will have no defects of any kind visible with a 5X glass. >>

That's my recollection as well.

Tiny · December 19, 2011 2:25PM

<< 

<< 

<< 40x glass? Seems like overkill to me. >>

Why? >>

Because it makes every problem massive. You ain't gonna find a true 70 with a 40x >>

ricko · December 19, 2011 11:05PM

40X??? And for $1.99?? Must be plastic or very poor glass. Get a good Zeiss loupe... 5x is sufficient.. 10X ok..... no more ... this is not microbiology.... Cheers, RickO

DrPete · December 19, 2011 11:16PM

In community genral pathology, my microscope has objectives of 4x, 10x, 20x, 40x and 100x oil. My occulars are 10x. That gives me total magnifications of 40x, 100x, 200x, 400x, and 1000x. Most of my microscopic work starts at scanning using the 4x, then 10x, and then when needing to look closer I use the 200x and 400x. Oil immersion is used mostly on hematology cases like peripheral blood smears and bone marrow aspirates to see fine detail. These levels of magnification are far greater than are needed for looking at coins.

For coins, I mostly start with my naked eyes, then use a 5x magnifier and occsionally a 10x.

Absolution · December 20, 2011 12:31AM

Sorry will post when I get back. Taking my g/f out so not near my coins but will do at first chance. Wondering how I am going to do it, may ask friend to hold magnifying glass while I take picture.

2manycoins2fewfunds · December 20, 2011 1:28AM

With a 40X the nose hair you see is Liberty's.

ambro51 · December 20, 2011 1:30AM

What magnification do you use to examine the girlfriend?

BigDaddyz · December 20, 2011 1:35AM

<< What magnification do you use to examine the girlfriend?

>>

I like to use braille

tahoe98 · December 20, 2011 5:36AM

...WOW! now you have one just like the TPG's use!

johnny9434 · December 20, 2011 6:00AM

a 5 x or 10 always suited me just fine

LanceNewmanOCC · December 20, 2011 7:33AM

<< It is tough to view some Merc Varieties with only a 20x loupe....I wish I had a 40x, it sure would make my life easier. >>

i concur. there are instances where more power equates to less strain and more accuracy for those hard to reach areas
.

Absolution · December 23, 2011 5:14PM

Here's one with a weird water stain and Orange dot.

I noticed though if I angle the slab a certain way it looks like the orange spot is from the slab not the coin. Wondering why it has orange spots though sometimes on the slab and sometimes on the coin. Guess what this one graded! lol.

BTW, does anyone know if that water stain looking thing is removable?

Absolution · December 24, 2011 2:34AM

That is a water stain right?

Bought a 40x Jeweler's Glass and...WOWWWWW

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