USB Camera/Enlarger

AU24K

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Nov 19, 2006
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USB Camera/Enlarger and "wandering" mintmarks

I have recently went through 10,000 cents obtained from my bank that were customer wrapped. The bank dumps them all, sans wrappers, into $50 bags to ship to "Garda."

I encountered many "varieties" and wanted to take extreme close-up photos to exemplify the differences but my digital cameras are ineffective in rendering that type of photo.
I just ordered this USB Camera/Magnifier and was wondering if anyone else has a similar gadget.

usb camera.jpg

I would appreciate comments and tips as this is something that I'm not familiar with.

When I get the gadget and have adequate pictures to acompany,
I'll post a report of my finds of the 10,000 cents,
which includes a "blank planchette!"

Best Wishes,
Scott​
 

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Just got my gadget today and here's the first pic I have taken...

test.jpg

From a $1 bill.

I think I'll be satisfied with it. The name on the box is "Digimicro."

Best Wishes,
Scott

PS. The stand is kinda cheesy but I'll make a better one.​
 

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OK. I've been working with my USB camera and here's an example of the "varieties" I spoke of earlier.
I call it left D and right D.

88-Db-001.jpg
88-Da-001.jpg

Has anyone else noticed "wandering" mintmarks?

Best Wishes,
Scott​
 

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Another example of "wandering" mint mark.
This is one I call high and low.

1970d high.jpg
1970d low.jpg

Are any varieties known and or listed anywhere?

Best,
Scott​
 

Another of many examples of 'wandering" mintmark" that I found.....

73d-high.jpg
73d-high.jpg

Best,
Scott​
 

I've noticed those mint marks all over the place, sometimes even rotated a bit. Bad tolerances? :-P
 

Of the 10,000 cents I went through, here's what I found in addition to the "varieties" and the blank planchette mentioned:

10 dimes (clad)

8 Canadian cents (1970,'74, '80, '82, '83, '90, '99, '07)

15 S mint '70's (1970S=4, 1971S=1, 1972S=4, 1974S=6)

23 wheaties ('40P=2, '41P=1, '43P(steel)=1, 44P=1, '45P=3, '46P=3, '46D=1, '51D=2, '52D=1,
'53D=3, '56P=1, '56D=1, '57D=2, '58D=1)

1998P WAM=2

1999P WAM=1

99wam-obv.jpg
99wam-rev.jpg

In addition to about $20 in pre- '83 coppers from the '60's, '70's and '80-'83.

Best Wishes,
Scott​
 

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Keep those Canadian pennies! Canadian pennies from 1942 up to 1997 are 98% copper :-)
 

I made another stand for my USB camera today.
I drilled and tapped the upright shaft and found another ball head bolt to install higher up for a variety of positioning.
I guarantee it won't fall over now!

IM004272-001.JPG

Best Wishes,
Scott​
 

Larger area, zooming in.

Cons:
I wish it had a larger area.
I wish it could zoom in more.
The object is a reverse image, but it corrects when you take a photo.

At the moment I take pictures with a little Sony DSC-T500 camera on the macro setting. It take wonderful pictures, sometimes too wonderful showing flaws you don't really see with the naked eye on coins I am selling on Ebay. I readjust the size and pixel count of all my pics after I take them so you might try doing that in a photo program. I make all mine 8" and use 200 as my pixel size. They post great on Ebay and you can see all the detail you want. I also crop as close to the coin as I can and it gives you a larger image too.
 

sagittarius98 said:
up to 1996, 1997 is copper plated zinc

Oops! My bad, I couldn't remember the exact year. Thank you
 

I have further improved upon the stand that I made.
I drilled and tapped the top of the shaft and found an extension shaft in my "junk pile."
I drilled and tapped the end of it to the same size and screwed it into place using a bolt with the head cut off.
I then got an electrical conduit hanger strap, bought a plastic handle "wing-nut" type nut, found a correct thread and length bolt to attach my cameras to and,
Voile!

001-001.JPG

This will help steady my cameras for those not so extreme close-ups.

Best Wishes,
Scott

PS. My total cost=$3.68​
 

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Nice work, Scott. I have no idea what you said/did, but it looks great.

My Friend,

This "home-made" contraption of mine will surely lend itself towards more clearly posted photographs of items
and will hopefully stir creative thoughts in others as to adaptability and progress forward towards success of ideas and endeavors!

Always,
My Best Wishes,
Scott
 

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Here's another view with my other camera attached.

IM004279-001.JPG

Best Wishes,
Scott​
 

Another example of "wandering" mint mark.
This is one I call high and low.

View attachment 689187
View attachment 689188

Are any varieties known and or listed anywhere?

Best,
Scott​

I found this site just today...

Date Guide Main Page - coppercoins.com

An excellent site with photos, prices and detailed descriptions!

Looks like I'll be spending some time going through my rolls of cents looking for what I may have missed....:thumbsup:

Does anyone know of a site like this for State Quarter Dollars, Presidential Dollars, etc.?

Best Wishes,

Scott
 

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