Re: Stereo Microscope for Coin Collector?


<metalengr@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:43685865-7ad2-4732-ad38-6baf77a3efb1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Mar 28, 10:28 pm, soda...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
I'm a coin collector and would like to buy a stereo microscope to
grade coins that I buy and sell.

What are some models to look at? What kind of magnification would I
need to see a full-field view of a U.S. silver dollar?

One type of used stereomicroscope that will work for coins is the
Stereozoom 4 (with a 4 to 1 zoom ratio). This model was originally
made by Bausch & Lomb, then by Cambridge Instruments, and then by
Leica. There are loads of them around from the semiconductor industry.
They are the Volkswagens of the industry. Many dealers will have them.
There is a broad range of accessories floating around for these
microscopes. You even can find complete scopes or parts out on eBay.

The basic microscope has a body or power pod with a zoom knob on top
that goes from 0.7X to 3.0X. Standard eyepieces are 10X. You will need
a 0.5X auxiliary (or supplementary) lens to reduce the magnification
so that you can fill the field with your silver dollar. Now your
overall magnification range will be from 3.5X to 15X. Adding the 0.5X
lens also will double the working distance, so you will need a taller
stand than the most common "A stand". You can add an "elevator" to the
stand to make it taller.

You can download the brochure and system diagram under Leica
Stereozooms at: http://www.reichertms.com/ref_man.php

If you want something newer, fancier, and more expensive you can get a
Stereozoom 7. It has a zoom ratio of 7 to 1, but uses a different
supplementary lens than the Stereozoom 4 does.

Pittsburgh Pete

Hello there,

Can anybody tell me the difference between the AO Stereozoom scopes and the
AO Stereostar?

Thanks
GR.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Stereo Microscope for Coin Collector?
    ... grade coins that I buy and sell. ... What kind of magnification would I ... lens also will double the working distance, so you will need a taller ... supplementary lens than the Stereozoom 4 does. ...
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    ... What FL lens to cover a useful range? ... The macro lenses don't allow much working room. ... The B&L Stereozoom are really designed for the assembly task. ... filter over your optics, otherwise the optics will accumulate vapors ...
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