I have spent many many hours trying to accurately photograph my coins. Some coins are more challenging than others, particularly proofs, very bright coins, very dark coins. tiny coins and gold.

My current set-up is:

• Camera: Canon EOS 1100D DSLR
• Macro: Canon Macro Lens 100mm 1:2.8
• Tripod: Yes, 12″ from lens to coin
• Lighting: 2 x Taotronics fadeable desk lamps angled slightly at 11 o/clock and 1 o/clock,  8-10″ above the subject. LED Daylight white bulbs.
• Flash: No
• White Balance setting: Auto
• Shutter on 10s timer to reduce the risk of shake
• Pictures cropped and rotated in paint.net
• Pictures joined in photojoiner.net
• Background – black non-reflective craft card for silver, off-white for bronze, copper and gold

I don’t use a light box (yet), this might give even better results!

Many thanks to everyone who has offered up help and advice!

This is a very interesting and valuable article:

http://coinimaging.com/photography.html