A couple of 1911's

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

Had permission to hunt these folks farmhouse yard. Ended up with three Indian head cents a few wheats and these plus a silver rosy. The little coin was a seated liberty half dime until it got home under the magnifier, darn. I will take it though, not too many Chile coins found here in MI.
HH - BF

 

[DukeOBass]

n/t

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

Hey DOB,
I use a scanner. If you notice I put a dark colored piece of cardboard over the coins. This helps especially with the dark colored coins. It makes the auto adjust stuff compensate for less white. I usually scan coins in at 700%, do some color adjusting and add a touch of unsharp mask. I use Photoshop, and then I save for the web to a jpeg. I usually size the image down so the the final jpeg is less than 100k.

I am a Graphic Designer so this is the tools-of-the-trade for me.

You can get as good or better close-ups with a digital camera. The main thing you need to know is the minimum focus distance. If you have a macro setting you should use that - but you still need to read in the manual and find the minimum focus distance. Then set up a spot preferably outside in direct sun. Measure the minimum focus distance and do not go any closer with the camera. If you have a tripod use that along with the auto delay (the feature where you press the button and run into the frame with your friends). If you have that feature it helps eliminate shake when pressing the button. I would suggest shooting at the highest quality level, then you can crop, size down and re-save in an image editor program.

Let me know if you would like any other tips.
HH - BF