Coin Photography, Shooting Toned Coins Day or Night

I'd like to share some tips with you in hopes of helping you obtain the highest possible price for your coins.  As they say, "a picture IS worth a thousand words".  So, I will add as many photographs as eBay will allow.  Please give my a "YES" vote at the end of this guide if you found it helpful.  This guide is intended for the eBay beginner and not the professional.  I'm in the process of writing an additional guide on photographing encapsulated coins.  Thank you all and I wish everyone success in listing your coins.   

Capturing Toning

Capturing a toned coin's brilliant colors is probably one of the toughest shots to achieve.  Accurately portraying the reflective qualities of the coin and the vibrant colors attained through years of toning can prove illusive and frustrating to say the least.  However, getting it right can pay off.  Auctions that clearly exhibit a coins beautiful coloration can reward the photographer with a nice premium.  It is possible, on eBay today, to acquire poorly photographed or scanned coins and simply take a better picture and turn a handsome profit.  The trick is to know which coins are poorly photographed and which ones are just poor coins.  Sometimes, you just have to take a chance.  Recently, I purchased a poorly scanned Morgan dollar FROM A DEALER on eBay for $26.  I had the coin professionally graded by PCGS and patiently photographed the coin, re-listed it on eBay, and earned over $200 profit for my time.  You can do the same.  And please, there is no need to artificially enhance a photograph with editing progams if you set the shot up correctly in the first place.  I'll try to simplify the process. 

There are three necessary components.  You'll need a decent digital camera (not a scanner), a tripod, and a natural light source.  There is no need to invest in expensive equipment.  The absolute best light source for capturing toning is plain old sunlight (for you night owl photographers, see Shooting at Night).  A decent shooting surface and a nearby window, with the ability to adjust the volume of light, is enough to get you started.  You'll have to know how to set your camera for close-up photos (macro setting) and how to turn the flash off.  The camera's flash will destroy the possibility of capturing any color on the coin's surface.  The tripod is necessary to eliminate the blurriness that can accompany the slightly longer exposure times.  Trust me, you are not steady enough to hand hold the camera for a tight shot with low lighting.  Note the relationship of the camera, its angle to the subject matter, and the subtle peach toning on this 1964-D Washington quarter (see photo #1).  The only things used in this photograph were 1) a 4.0 mega pixel Canon Power Shot, 2) tripod leaned against my computer desk and, 3) sunlight from my backyard window (see photo #2).  I'll take a little extra time for my second shot, adjust the blind on my window (slightly less light), obtain the perfect camera angle (slightly greater angle) and then you'll see how this coin really comes alive.  Notice the deep burnt orange, subtle lime green and vibrant yellow on the surface of the coin (see photo #3).  The fourth picture is a simple scan.  Oh, my, that's awful!  Now look at how flat, dull, and unattractive the coin appears.  Where's the color?  It looks dirty (see photo #4).  This is the same coin pictured in shot one and three.  Scanners are convenient and quick but, they'll cost you a lot of lost bids on a well toned coin.  Now ask yourself, which photograph, in a listing for a "1964-D Washington Quarter GEM BU Toned", would probably get the highest bid?  Do yourself a favor and invest a little time in photography.

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Shooting at Night

Taking pictures without available sunlight requires a little more effort.  I've invested in two clip-on gooseneck lamps from WalMart (cost under $10 each) and very importantly, two n:vision 40w daylight bulbs in the blue packaging (very important to get the blue package).  They are about $4 each (see photo #5).  Next, go to your nearest fabric store and invest in a small piece of black velvet to shoot silver coins on and a small piece of white velvet to shoot copper coins on.  However, a dark copper coin will look even darker on a white surface.  That same coin, shot on a black surface will look a whole lot lighter.  A wood grain surface is a nice neutral color.  You must decide which background best displays your coins attributes.  Again, there is no need to use trick photography, just set the shot up correctly.  I will also describe how to crop a coin if you're interested in not showing any background at all (it seems to be the way the pros prefer).  Unlike my demonstration photo, it's best not to have any competing light source when shooting.  You don't need a fancy light box if you eliminate ambient light.  The two lamps are pointed slightly away from the subject as not to cause glare (see photo #6).  Remember, if you're shooting at night, it will be fairly dark because you're illuminating the coin, not lighting up the room.  The first photo shows the same 1964-D quarter, from above, on black velvet, cropped with a standard square cropping tool found with most picture editing software (see photo #7).  The second shot is the same photo but with an elliptical crop.  This is a technique professionals like to use.  I recommend a program like Corel PHOTO-PAINT.  It is a bit expensive and difficult to master but worth the effort.  I think you'll agree, it does make for a more professional appearance (see photo #8).  Corel allows you to make some tricky crops, not just a square or a plain circle.  Now, please don't forget that "yes" vote at the end and good luck with listing your coins on eBay.

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