After numerous requests for tips on scanning coins, I created this page to make detailed information available to everyone. This discussion is oriented towards producing coin images to be displayed on computer monitors, such as on web sites. Many points are also applicable when the intended result is hardcopy. Since the goal is not just to create coin images but high quality images that enhance a web site , let's first look at some of the major technical factors that come into play. The answer depends on your objective.
Film offers higher resolution than scanners currently available in the local computer store.
When the quality of the image is the overriding objective, photographing the coin and scanning the photograph usually produces the best results, provided that high quality equipment, film, paper and processing, as well as lighting suitable for coin photography are utilized. Placing the coin itself on a flatbed scanner is considerably faster and less expensive than making and scanning a photograph. A digital camera may now provide comparable or superior results, provided it has sufficiently high resolution and a macro capability. Adapters for video cameras that digitize images are also available and may produce satisfactory results. Details on those devices are outside the scope of this document.