Best Coins as Scale

[DPS Ammonite]

I found several coins that would make good scale since they are very close to 2 cm in diameter. My top pick is the 10 cent Euro which is 99% of 2 cm in diameter. Other good ones include the British farthing at 20.19 mm in diameter. Others probably exist, but have less supply. 
 

The secret is to write 2 cm or 20 mm on the coin. Alternatively, you can mention the size in your post.

 

Any other worthwhile coins? I have heard that some of the square holes Chinese coins are 2 cm across.

 

@Coco

[Bobby Rico]

Nice idea, that works for me to. I love the farthing. 

Edited August 4 by Bobby Rico

[Fossildude19]

Great if you are in the UK. 

Better to just use some form of ruler.

[DPS Ammonite]

The form factor of a coin is sometimes superior to that of a ruler especially when in the field and they fit in your pocket better than a ruler or scale card. They are also more durable than other scales. A small coin can be less intrusive than a large ruler in close up shots. Cost, if available, can’t be beat. They are better than the 1 cm cubes which can cause problems with trying to get everything in focus at the same time.

Edited August 4 by DPS Ammonite

[Bobby Rico]

TFF members had a coin with and Native Americans head on it that they was using for scale. The coin   was about 21mm. Once you know it is about 2cm then I think it worked fine much better than a litter or pen. 

[Fossildude19]

58 minutes ago, DPS Ammonite said:

The form factor of a coin is sometimes superior to that of a ruler especially when in the field and they fit in your pocket better than a ruler or scale card. They are also more durable than other scales. A small coin can be less intrusive than a large ruler in close up shots. Cost, if available, can’t be beat. They are better than the 1 cm cubes which can cause problems with trying to get everything in focus at the same time.

 

You will never convince anyone of this. Rulers are flat. No issue with photos.

By your arguments, any coin can be used, and we just need to know the measurements of such coins. 

 

For years, we have been trying to get people to NOT use coins.      

And suggesting a coin from Britain, when many of us have no access to such a coin is not well thought out.

Why memorize the size of a coin, when a ruler will do??

 

[Bobby Rico]

24 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

 

You will never convince anyone of this.

For years, we have been trying to get people not to use coins.      

Why memorize the size of a coin when a ruler will do??

 

You made a good point,  better to use a ruler. The artist in me likes the aesthetic of the coin more than the ruler but that in It’s self Is not a good enough reason. 

Edited August 4 by Bobby Rico

[DPS Ammonite]

A 2cm coin marked as 2cm is essentially a round ruler just as the 3D metal cubes work too. The coins are not a substitute in all cases for a ruler; they work in conjunction with a ruler. 

Sometimes a coin works or looks better than a ruler.

[DPS Ammonite]

42 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said:

By your arguments, any coin can be used, and we just need to know the measurements of such coins. 

Not in the slightest. I am not saying to use any coin. This 10c Euro coin is essentially a 2 cm scale that is clearly marked as such and is similar to the 3D cubes that are more difficult to include in a photo.

Edited August 4 by DPS Ammonite

[Kikokuryu]

2 hours ago, DPS Ammonite said:

Any other worthwhile coins? I have heard that some of the square holes Chinese coins are 2 cm across.

Not to further make the coin issue worse, but the Japanese 1 yen is exactly 2 cm and is very lightweight.

[DPS Ammonite]

28 minutes ago, Bobby Rico said:

You made a good point,  better to use a ruler. The artist in me likes the aesthetic of the coin more than the ruler but that in It’s self Is not a good enough reason. 

A coin such as the 10c Euro that is properly labeled with 2 cm can be much easier to be placed on an outcrop with fossils than a ruler. A slight ledge may allow a coin to be placed, but a ruler might fall off. Plus a larger ruler sometimes covers up what you want to be photographed. 
 

The 10c Euro is not a total replacement for a ruler, it is another tool for measuring that sometimes works better.

[Fossildude19]

Here, we will always suggest a ruler or measured paper before suggesting a coin for photography.

Of course, people us what they have on hand.

 

It just isn't feasible for most people here on the Forum to use an English coin.

[DPS Ammonite]

There are some US coins that could work; I don’t want to buy and take a gold coin into the field.

[Fossildude19]

Just now, DPS Ammonite said:

There are some US coins that could work; I don’t want to buy and take a gold coin into the field.

 

And therein lies the problem. Most Americans will use a US. Coin. Most Europeans will use a European coin.

Better to have a standard unit of measure.  Like a ruler. Which, once again, we have been asking people to use for years.

[DPS Ammonite]

This post was not meant in the slightest to upset anyone. It wanted to point out that if you have the right coin that it is properly marked, it could be a useful scale.

 

I bet that members in the US could find a coin that is very close to 2 cm at a coin dealer that has large containers of foreign coins for sale. Or, do what I did, ask a friend or relative traveling in Europe to bring some back.

 

I have not measured the round washers at the hardware store, but you might find one that is really close to a useful cm measurement. 

Edited August 4 by DPS Ammonite

[Kane]

We do not encourage the use of coins for scale, period. 

 

This is not an issue we wish to re-litigate. . 

[Denis Arcand]

22 minutes ago, DPS Ammonite said:

I don’t want to buy and take a gold coin into the field.

 

I prefer not to purchase or carry a gold coin out in the field, especially considering you can obtain a free IKEA ruler that conveniently fits inside your wallet.

 

[Denis Arcand]

2 hours ago, DPS Ammonite said:

I found several coins that would make good scale since they are very close to 2 cm in diameter. My top pick is the 10 cent Euro which is 99% of 2 cm in diameter. Other good ones include the British farthing at 20.19 mm in diameter. Others probably exist, but have less supply. 
 

The secret is to write 2 cm or 20 mm on the coin. Alternatively, you can mention the size in your post.

 

Any other worthwhile coins? I have heard that some of the square holes Chinese coins are 2 cm across.

 

@Coco

In today's times, hardly anyone carries coins anymore. Have you heard about credit cards? 

 

Also not very useful for scale, standard credit card typically has dimensions of 3.375 inches (85.6 mm) in width and 2.125 inches (53.98 mm) in height.

Edited August 4 by Denis Arcand

[DPS Ammonite]

4 minutes ago, Denis Arcand said:

In today's times, hardly anyone carries coins anymore. Have you heard about credit cards? 

How about all credit cards need to have a scale on their back.

[Denis Arcand]

16 minutes ago, DPS Ammonite said:

How about all credit cards need to have a scale on their back.

 

Funny you mention that—I actually stumbled upon a credit-card-sized ruler!

 

 

 

 

Edited August 4 by Denis Arcand

[Denis Arcand]

43 minutes ago, Kane said:

We do not encourage the use of coins for scale, period. 

 

This is not an issue we wish to re-litigate. . 

 

Let's venture into the realm of ruler variety — from robust metal to convenient credit card-style, delicate paper, and even custom-crafted versions. 

 

Step into the conversation here!