Digital Coin Photography – H. Craig Hamling – October 2001
Introduction
Recent developments in digital cameras have made it possible to produce good quality images of coins using fairly inexpensive equipment. These digital files can also be printed out on an ink jet printer to make hard copies that can be useful for identification purposes.
Most of the coins used as examples in this presentation are US Large Cents. Besides being my specialty, Large Cents are collected in the widest range of condition of any series of US coins. “Scudzy” rarities command as much attention from the hard bitten as GEM RED common varities. As such, Large Cents present a challenge to the photographer.
Here is a nice GEM RED Large Cent
which cost about the same as this AVERAGE minus (corroded, dark, and marked up on the date) but RARE 1807/6 small overdate S-272.
It is possible to make accurate pictures of the whole range of Large Cent conditions using the same equipment and varying only the background and lighting. It is my belief that accuracy is a good thing when it comes to coin pictures. It may or may not be to your advantage as an on-line coin seller to show a really accurate image of your coin. I will leave that for you to decide.