1902 penny, which photo should I use?

[bagerap 706]

I picked this up three weeks ago in a decades old Seaby envelope. I put up a phone picture at the time,

but I don't think these two taken with a fairly good Nikon are any better. Opinions please.

[PWA 1967 1,840]

Nice coin the top one i assume is more of a likeness and would be the one i would keep.

The one below appears a bit dark ,but why you have the coin in hand your the best person to decide.

To make a decision i would say a picture between the two

[Nordle11 564]

It's got to be the first for me. To be honest though, it looks as if the former is too bright and the latter too dark, perhaps a middle ground will get the best of both worlds?

[Nordle11 564]

Great minds Pete, great minds

[PWA 1967 1,840]

[azda 973]

Top picture for me also

[bagerap 706]

Thanks gents. I'm starting to think that the phone pics were better than anything I can do with a camera.

[bagerap 706]

Thanks gents. I'm starting to think that the phone pics were better than anything I can do with a camera.

[bagerap 706]

Note to self. Don't try using the smallest tablet in the house when you have fingers like shovels.

[secret santa 2,013]

Both sets of pictures are very good and can enable the viewer to determine the grade of the coin which is important. Less easy to know is the extent of the lustre on the coin but that will always tend to vary with the light that was used when the photo was taken , whether natural or artificial. Just as the light used when viewing the coin in the hand will affect the extent of lustre. It all depends on whether the picture is an aid to selling the coin or to capture the image for the owner's information and pleasure. Picture taken seconds apart will vary depending on light fluctuation. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say.

R

[bagerap 706]

Thanks. I think that it just illustrates that I'm a truly crap photographer.

[VickySilver 775]

All in the lighting as has been said/beaten on, but personally I also like the more golden shade of the brighter first picture. Those are not bad at all, and better than my efforts, certainly!