A few habits make your AI-generated grade estimates sharper and more consistent. These are photo-based estimates for education and reference, not a certified appraisal.
Capture the full coin in focus
Fill the frame with the coin and make sure the whole surface is sharp before you analyze. Blurry or cropped photos give the AI less detail to read.
Photograph both sides
Capture the obverse and the reverse. Detail on each side feeds the AI-generated grade estimate.
Use even, neutral lighting
Bright, diffuse, neutral light — daylight or a lamp — shows detail best. Avoid strong color casts that change how the surfaces read.
Tilt for visible luster without covering details with glare
Angle the coin slightly so cartwheel luster shows, but keep bright hot-spots off the key details. A little tilt beats a flat, flashed-out shot.
Avoid deep shadows and washed-out highlights
Shadows hide wear and blown highlights erase detail. If areas are pure black or pure white, re-shoot with softer, more even light.
Why the same coin can produce different results in different photos
Lighting, focus, and angle change what the AI can see, so the same coin can get different estimates from different photos. For consistency, shoot the same way each time. Estimates are photo-based, not a certified appraisal.