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Coin Macro-Photography
How To Make Close-up Pictures of Your Coins Without Photo Equipment

Coin Macrophotography usually refers to taking Close-up pictures of the coin, i.e. the resulting image of the coin would be at a larger than normal size. The main goal is to create an image that clearly shows all lettering, the date, and details of the coin design.
A simple and fast method of taking good quality macro-photographs of coins when you do not have any proper equipment at hand or time to get it.This simple method does not require a special setup, such as certain light sources, a photo tripod, and a special photo platform, it requires the outdoor dispersed light. Such light condition exists when the sky is overcast or during pre-dusk hours. The light cannot be a direct sunlight as it produces strong shadows. The best place to make a photo setup would be on the balcony or deck etc.
The main goal of coin macro-photography is to show all the details, visible and sharp, of a coin. That is why any camera movement is out of question. A camera support is a MUST! It enables you to shoot both sides of the coin at exactly the same size and angle so they can be combined into one image and look right together. How to achieve a stable camera position without a tripod or a copy stand? Simply, you can use a rectangular piece of thick clear glass that is free of scratches.Never forget to wipe all fingerprints off it with the window cleaner before use. Then place camera face-down on the glass and hold it tight when taking pictures.
In order to achieve a perfect horizontal level of the glass,place it on two "pillars", they could be books, small boxes, or any other objects of identical height. It is also very important to set everything up on a smooth and leveled surface. For example, a small coffee table could be used for a base platform. Just make sure the table surface is leveled parallel with the glass.Next, you need a small platform under the glass where a coin would be placed. The books of different thickness can be useful for that purpose. By interchanging them,you easily adjust a necessary distance between a coin and camera's objective.
Finally,place a piece of printing white paper or a piece of felt of any desirable colour for background and make sure that its texture does not distort the focus (in case of automatic camera usage).Your setup is ready!

Thanks for the excellent tips Stig, I'll be giving them a go.
John.

Most good quality camera also give you the choice for setting your focus.

These settings are normally auto-focus, manual focus or macro-focus.

Remember to set it on macro-focus for photographs taken at close range if you have this facility on your camera.

thanks for the tips guys

Nice tips gents. The pictures on here have been getting better so the advice is working. :)

STIG  THERES A SIMILAR METHOD ON  THE NET  FROM BLUEPETER   MADE WITH   AN OLD PAIR OF GLASSES  A TOILET ROLL   SOME STICKY BACK PLASTIC 2 ELASTIC BANDS  AND A RUBBER  CHICKEN   ;D ;D ;D ;D

roman steve made me a similar one to that, and it work well to
iv'e had some good photos from it
a very good idea

I have posted this advice previously elsewhere but think it is worth posting here as well.

Maybe the following tip will help people take better macro shots.

Most pictures do not turn out as expected because of the movement caused whilest pressing the shutter button... you get everything set up.. you press the button and this creates a small amount of movement which can upset the shot etc.

Tip

If your camera has self timer mode .... use it for taking macro shots.

Set the timer for 5 secs, 10 secs or whatever time delay you want.

Get close to your object .. Press the shutter button and you will now have sufficient time to get it focused etc and held steady during the time allowed. When the time has elapsed, your camera takes the shot and there should be no movement of the camera caused during the process of pressing the button.

Better still is to do the above but also use a mini tripod or similar so that there is absolutely no movement caused by handshake etc.

Also remember to use macro focus if your camera has that facility.

You can also get a small camera tripod in Poundland which will also hold your camera steady when taking your shot

Some great tips there guys, I have an old nikon coolpix and though dated now ive always been happy with it though im no photographer. I think I only tried the macro on it once and that was of  a spider lol but might just give this a go

Great advice - Thx