What's required to Photograph Coins?

Light:

Use diffuse, window light to prevent hard edged shadows.

"Deapth of Field" can be increased with larger amounts of light, especially important when using macro/close-up lenses.

Distance of a coin from light source can affect the leanth of shadows and its apparent relief.

Use a white card reflector to soften shadows when photographing silver coins. Cover the white card reflector with crumpled aluminum foil when photographing darker coins.

Camera:

A camera with a tripod socket and capable of macro, close-up focus.

Is it easy to determine if the camera lens axis is perpendicular to the coin?

How many photographs can be taken per battery charge? Make sure battery is fully charged before a shooting session. All shots of one coin, or set of coins, must be made without any change of the zoom lens setting!

Tripod or camera clamp:

Can the camera be held steady, close to coin, without blocking light?

Can the tripod head position the camera to any angle in relation to coin?

An axial view works well for silver coins. Dark bronze or copper coins may need to be photographed at an angle; catching the light “mirrored” off the coins face.

If multiple shooting sessions are required mark position of the tripod's center post with felt-tipped pen to ensure setup is consistent with previous ones.

18% Gray Card:

A neutral background for coin being photographed.

A gray card is a constant reference that can be used for color correction of the final image. Using “Gimp” or “Photoshop” sample the images gray card to set as the gray point.

A gray card is an aid to setting the proper exposure; if using a manual camera. I’ve found gray card exposure is inconsistent when using a matrix-metered, auto-exposure camera.