Finally bought a digital microscope :)

After some contemplating I decided to buy one of the Lighthouse 2mp, 20x-200x magnification, microscopes that hooks into a computer. I can't wait till it arrives in the mail! I will finally be able to distinguish variations within my hoard of pennies and nickles, haha.



I think this microscope was recommended on the Numista boards earlier... but do any of you use microscopes for looking at coins? If not, what do you use?

https://en.numista.com/forum/topic6347.html#p35439

   I have the same one as you, and I use it every day. See my reply 'Posted: 27-Jan-2012, 07:40PM' on the above Topic. You can see, as example, the twelve pictures it took in my replies on the Topic below ...

https://en.numista.com/forum/topic11926.html#p74814
https://en.numista.com/forum/topic11926.html#p74815

   I got mine a few years ago, secondhand off eBay, and it never had a stand like yours has. I do recommend digital miscoscopes, so you can sit at the computer and see what the images look like on the computer large screen before you take the picture. Then you can use PhotoScape (see below) to align and cut out the coin from background - like two of those I cropped in the Topic above.  

https://en.numista.com/forum/topic10147.html#p63138

As I go through coins looking for missing dates or accumulation dates, a few errors, mint marks, etc., I have often started to daydream about how cool it would be to have some kind of digital visual inspection system.  Maybe one of these digital microscopes with recognition software, if such a thing even exists.

Then, maybe a servo driven conveyor to move the coins into place.  And a pair of conveyors moving the coins out, with a gate activated by the software to choose the "keeper coins" conveyor or the "return to the bank" conveyor.

Then, on the front end, add a device that will unstack a roll of coins, one by one, to get them on the conveyor in single file.

Then, add a device that will take hold of the wrapped rolls, slice them open without touching the coins, and getting them into a stack to be destacked.

Of course, by then, I will have more of an electronics hobby than a coin hobby.  But, hey, it's MY daydream!

Webeus, you can transfer all of your coins to a special device with four extensions, which will remove your coins one by one, inspect them, and then put them back very carefully and can do it regularly (probably once a week). You don't need electricity for it because the device can find the source of energy itself. Do you need the address of this device?  

Scceda - yes, sure.  That would be interesting to learn about.  Definitely, give me the address.

Quote: webeusScceda - yes, sure.  That would be interesting to learn about.  Definitely, give me the address.

The only problem with this device is once you transfer your collection you won't likely get it back.    The device is crazy about coins.  

Quote: aswitzerAfter some contemplating I decided to buy one of the Lighthouse 2mp, 20x-200x magnification, microscopes that hooks into a computer. I can't wait till it arrives in the mail! I will finally be able to distinguish variations within my hoard of pennies and nickles, haha.



I think this microscope was recommended on the Numista boards earlier... but do any of you use microscopes for looking at coins? If not, what do you use?

Yes this is a nice system. You will like it. I recently sold one identical to this.

I was looking to acquire a magnifier in an economical price range.
The Lighthouse maginfier is a bit costly.
I found this one - any suggestions.
https://www.banggood.com/MUSTOOL-G1200-Digital-Microscope-12MP-7-Inch-Large-Color-Screen-Large-Base-LCD-Display-1-1200X-Continuous-Amplification-Magnifier-with-Aluminum-Alloy-Stand-Power-Supply-Version-p-1593162.html?cur_warehouse=CN
Pixel: HD 12 megapixel
2: Display screen: 7-inch HD LCD display.
3: Magnification: 1-1200 × continuous amplification system.

Quote: "BluHawk"​I was looking to acquire a magnifier in an economical price range.
​The Lighthouse maginfier is a bit costly.
​I found this one - any suggestions.
​https://www.banggood.com/MUSTOOL-G1200-Digital-Microscope-12MP-7-Inch-Large-Color-Screen-Large-Base-LCD-Display-1-1200X-Continuous-Amplification-Magnifier-with-Aluminum-Alloy-Stand-Power-Supply-Version-p-1593162.html?cur_warehouse=CN
​Pixel: HD 12 megapixel
​2: Display screen: 7-inch HD LCD display.
​3: Magnification: 1-1200 × continuous amplification system.

​Most of these products are manufactured by the same factory in Asia... Some of them are branded differently, or even add better finishing materials, but I will be not surprised if internally it has the same parts as other branded products...

The price is not bad, if I were you, I will go ahead and tried.