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What materials should I invest in? Also, what is the best way to clean coins? I was told not to clean them by a local coin collector as it may decrease the value. What's your take on it?
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A good loupe, a few books, a camera with a macro function and go through at least 5,000 coins before making any assumptions about finds. That doesn't mean to not ask questions about finds - just take it easy as nothing replaces experience.
I would say just do not clean coins. You can search the forum and find a variety of threads with advice, but in the end, if done incorrectly one will just make it worse.
Jason Cuvelier
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Is there a specific, decent (and preferably moderately priced) loupe some one could refer me too? Also you stated books, which ones?
Also should I not worry about the coins I've poured through without a loupe until I get one?Comment
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A good Bausch and Lomb hastings triplet is the loupe to get IMO.
As far as cleaning, the first thing should be pure acetone(I'm not talking about acetone based products such as nail polish remover, but rather pure 100% acetone). It will not harm the coins. Let's be honest here, if we're talking about circulated common date cents you're not really going to hurt them. Obviously if you have a key date or even semi-key, don't touch it. Literally do not touch it.“What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.”Comment
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And what books should i look at?Comment
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DDO, DDR, RPM, Small dates, rotates, Wide (1998-2000) and Close (1992) AM's, pretty much anything now at the moment. I have went through 764 memorials today and I don't think I found anything but a few wheats that got mixed in, possible a 1992-D DDO and a possible 1960 small date. Sorry I couldn't be very specific. For examples of these I have been through this site and anything that Google has to offer.Comment
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I would certainly buy The Cherry Picker's Guide, The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents, the CD-ROM of Lincoln Cent Varieties by Billy Crawford as well as making coppercoins.com and conecaonline.org and varietyvista.com bookmarks. As for the loupe, that's important, but also important is the light you view the coins under.“What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.”Comment
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Can you be more specific on the light?
Thanks for the bookmarks!Comment
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After reviewing some pictures, I am going to stop looking untill I get my loupe, I just got a cheap one,
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That is a good deal, and no doubt you will be able to use this for certain things, but honestly, for varieties the quality of this loupe is really going to be lacking. Even if you don't get a certain brand, you should really purchase a "hastings triplet" which is a type of loupe.“What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.”Comment
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40X is way over powered for a general inspection tool. MHO. A 10X is what I would recommend and keep the 40 for closer exam of the anomaly if you find one. I use an el cheapo from Radio Shack that has a 10, 20 and 40x that can be swung out form the case and stacked one on the other if necessary. This is not rocket science.Comment
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How much do you think the one you got at Radio Shack is?Comment
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