Does your camera have a large enough CCD sensor to match the coin diameter?

The camera for the imaging of coins should have a CCD sensor size comparable to the largest diameter coin you wish to reproduce. This will then allow the clicked-on magnification of the coin's surface detail and luster to be closely scrutinized for comparison of graded coin levels.

Years ago the 35MM film format provided enough detail to be closely maintained to hundreds of times the magnification factor in movie theaters.

Today the linear acutance of film is not matched on the CCD sensor of digital cameras. In fact, resolution of fine details in digital cameras is retroverted because of the limited individual pixel sensor dimension. This causes softness of edge delineation or blurring.

A camera CCD sensor size of 5 to 12 MP is adequate but limited at larger magnification factors: getting softer and fuzzier as magnification increases.

It is only recently that Nikon has introduced a full 35MM sized sensor with the D800 & D800E and a 32MP CCD sensor.

The lens for coin imaging can be anything that will focus close enough allowing the photographer a comfortable working distance from the subject. However, it is highly recommended that a 100MM+ Macro Lens be used as it is specialized for working at comfortable distances away from the small object.

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