More help with grading and photographing

[Paulus]

I am starting to sell some of my collection in preference for collecting VF+ older milled English silver ... in the rarer coins, where grading seems to make exponential differences to the value I am struggling to assess the appropriate grade, and struggling even more to take photographs that do the coins justice.

Here is a very collectible 1905 shilling, which looks miles better in hand than these pics show:

I use a 12mp camera without flash, macro on, in natural daylight

Perhaps I should:

• photograph them 'naked' i.e. not in their protective holder (the crease at 11 o'clock on the obverse is cellophane)
  
• use something to keep the camera steadier
  
• use different/better lighting?
  

I am always amazed at the quality of the pics some people manage to achieve!

Any tips gratefully received!

Would anyone like a stab at grading/valuing this one?

[Rob]

I am starting to sell some of my collection in preference for collecting VF+ older milled English silver ... in the rarer coins, where grading seems to make exponential differences to the value I am struggling to assess the appropriate grade, and struggling even more to take photographs that do the coins justice.

Here is a very collectible 1905 shilling, which looks miles better in hand than these pics show:

I use a 12mp camera without flash, macro on, in natural daylight

Perhaps I should:

• photograph them 'naked' i.e. not in their protective holder (the crease at 11 o'clock on the obverse is cellophane)
  
• use something to keep the camera steadier
  
• use different/better lighting?
  

I am always amazed at the quality of the pics some people manage to achieve!

Any tips gratefully received!

Would anyone like a stab at grading/valuing this one?

Not without a better picture. Ed.VII is difficult at the best of times because the hair detail is very low relief and so difficult to tell what is worn unless well lit or in the hand.

[Paulus]

I am starting to sell some of my collection in preference for collecting VF+ older milled English silver ... in the rarer coins, where grading seems to make exponential differences to the value I am struggling to assess the appropriate grade, and struggling even more to take photographs that do the coins justice.

Here is a very collectible 1905 shilling, which looks miles better in hand than these pics show:

I use a 12mp camera without flash, macro on, in natural daylight

Perhaps I should:

• photograph them 'naked' i.e. not in their protective holder (the crease at 11 o'clock on the obverse is cellophane)
  
• use something to keep the camera steadier
  
• use different/better lighting?
  

I am always amazed at the quality of the pics some people manage to achieve!

Any tips gratefully received!

Would anyone like a stab at grading/valuing this one?

Not without a better picture. Ed.VII is difficult at the best of times because the hair detail is very low relief and so difficult to tell what is worn unless well lit or in the hand.

Thanks Rob, I'll have another go!

[azda]

Take it Out of the paper wallet its in. Always use Natural daylight, i personally use macro setting in highest res possible and i have a black foam background which i also use.

I don't have a tripod, just a steady hand. I then use a photo editing suite (nothing complicated) to crop the crap from around the object (coin) but don't crop Off any of the coin, just as near to the rim as possible. I then reduce the contrast and ligjten a smidge and you can Even capture the toning on a difficult coin.

Good luck and post 1 or 2 results when you're done.

[Red Riley]

Take it Out of the paper wallet its in. Always use Natural daylight, i personally use macro setting in highest res possible and i have a black foam background which i also use.

Oh, is that what it is. I thought it was tarmac.

[Red Riley]

I am starting to sell some of my collection in preference for collecting VF+ older milled English silver ... in the rarer coins, where grading seems to make exponential differences to the value I am struggling to assess the appropriate grade, and struggling even more to take photographs that do the coins justice.

Here is a very collectible 1905 shilling, which looks miles better in hand than these pics show:

I use a 12mp camera without flash, macro on, in natural daylight

Perhaps I should:

• photograph them 'naked' i.e. not in their protective holder (the crease at 11 o'clock on the obverse is cellophane)
  
• use something to keep the camera steadier
  
• use different/better lighting?
  

I am always amazed at the quality of the pics some people manage to achieve!

Any tips gratefully received!

Would anyone like a stab at grading/valuing this one?

As you say, nigh on impossible to judge the obverse but the reverse is certainly 'fine'. With the obverse, get rid of cellophane (I would never suggest photographing with it on) and using natural light tilt the coin at a slight angle; using a macro lens some of it may go out of focus but concentrate on getting the head in focus. Alternatively you could use a standard lens and shop the result. Even using a tripod I find it a nightmare getting any detail on Ed VII/George V effigies.

[scott]

depends on the camera, some can get great pictures with light backgrounds and little help, others don't.

go for the dark background.