How I Solved My Rare Coin Photography Problem (Step-By-Step Lighting & Composition Guide)

I Ran Straight Into a Collector’s Nightmare

Holding my 1882 trade dollar for the first time felt like uncovering buried treasure. But when I tried photographing this crown jewel alongside my other rare coins? Disaster. My shots looked like muddy smartphone pics – CAM finishes vanished, DCAM surfaces turned flat, and all that beautiful luster? Gone.

Twelve frustrating hours later, I stared at a gallery of garbage shots. My display case shimmered, but my photos looked like I’d taken them through a dirty window. I nearly threw in the towel.

The 3 Hurdles That Almost Made Me Quit Coin Photography

Problem 1: Murdered Metallic Shine

My first mistake? Blasting coins with harsh overhead light. My silver pieces glared like car chrome in midday sun – all detail obliterated. After burning through three coffees and a SD card full of failures, I discovered salvation:

Angle two diffused lights at 45 degrees. Kiss glare goodbye while keeping that liquid metal glow.

Problem 2: CAM vs DCAM Identity Crisis

My prized Proof coins looked identical in photos despite their dramatic real-life differences. The fix? Layer lighting like a pro baker stacks cakes:

• Foundation: Two 5500K LED panels (left/right at 45°)
• Secret Sauce: Dimmed ring light (10% power) directly above
• Magic Trick: Black velvet backdrop swallowing reflections

My 5-Step System for Jaw-Dropping Coin Photos

Step 1: The $30 Lighting Hack That Saved My Sanity

Skip the $500 “pro” kits. My coin photography setup costs less than dinner for two:

2x Neewer 660 LED Panels ($15 each)
1x 12" Ring Light ($25)
Black foam core boards ($5)

Step 2: Camera Settings I Wish I’d Known Earlier

After 83(!) test shots, these settings became my holy grail:

• f/11 aperture – keeps entire coin sharp edge-to-edge
• 1/200 shutter speed – freezes even shaky hands
• ISO 100 – cleaner than a freshly-minted proof
• Manual 5500K white balance – bye-bye weird color casts

Step 3: Stealing Composition Secrets From Museums

Arrange your coins like a gallery curator:

• Place showstoppers (my 78-S Morgan) slightly forward
• Mix finishes – CAM, DCAM, business strikes alternating
• Use museum putty under rims for perfect alignment

Post-Processing: Where Good Shots Become Great

Lightroom’s my final polish station. Try these tweaks:

Clarity: +15 (enhances devices without overkill)
Sharpening Mask: 60 (targets edges only)
Dehaze: +8 (cuts atmospheric haze)
Radial Filter: +0.3 exposure on key coins

4 Lessons That Changed Everything

1. Side lighting is king for metallic surfaces
2. Manual white balance beats auto every time
3. f/11 keeps entire coins crisp
4. Matte black makes coins levitate visually

From “Meh” to Museum-Quality

When I nailed this setup, my coins finally looked real. My CAM coins revealed their frosty details against mirror fields. The DCAM’s liquid surfaces looked… well, liquid. Best part? When fellow collectors gasped “Is this photoshopped?” I could honestly say “Nope – that’s just how beautiful these coins really are.”

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