Close up & Macro

An experimental "close-up" (not Macro) shot which took about 12 attempts to get right.....the shine and reflections make photographing coins like this very difficult. Camera Sony RX100 and processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

My second attempt at photographing Silver coins. Hand-held in diffuse daylight using a Sony RX100 compact camera and processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

A figurine of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun and his wife Ankhesenamun (who was also his half-sister) . Tutankhamun was a Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty (ruled c.1332 – 1323 BCE) during the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom. He is popularly referred to as "King Tut". His original name, Tutankhaten, means "Living Image of Aten" while Tutankhamun means "Living Image of Amun". Photographed with a Sony RX100 camera and processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) photographed along the riverside Nature Trail in the historic hamlet of Wycoller, Pendle district, UK. Camera: Sony RX100 compact. Processed using Nikon Capture NX2. www.ipernity.com/group/sony.rx100

Wild flowers of the "Mallow" family (Malva sylvestris) photographed by the side of "Pendle Water", a small river in Brierfield, Pendle district, UK. The camera used was a Panasonic TZ10, an excellent and inexpensive 12 megapixel "point-and-shoot" with a Leica lens (I have since upgraded to a Sony RX100). Processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

A Table-top photograph of one of the range of hand-painted statuettes from the "Tudor Mint" Lands / Sorceress collection, featuring "Woodland Sorceress" from "Land of the Dragons". Camera: Nikon D300s Lens: Nikkor AF-S VR 70-200MM F2.8 IF ED II Flash: Nikon SB-400 (bounced)

Camera: Nikon D300s. Lens: Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8

Isis was venerated first in Egypt. As per the Greek historian Herodotus writing in the fifth century BCE, Isis was the only goddess worshiped by all Egyptians alike and whose influence was so widespread by that point that she had become completely syncretic with the Greek goddess Demeter. It is after the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great and the Hellenization of the Egyptian culture initiated by Ptolemy I that she eventually became known as 'Queen of Heaven'. Lucius Apuleius confirmed this in his novel "The Golden Ass", in which his character prayed to the "Queen of Heaven". The passage says that the goddess herself responded to his prayer, in which she explicitly identified herself as both the Queen of Heaven and Isis. (Wikipedia).

In 2014 the British Royal Mint launched a new series of 1 ounce (31.103 grams) gold coins. The Shēngxiào Collection, inspired by centuries of tradition, begins with the first coin in the series created by artist Wuon-Gean Ho for the Lunar Year of the Horse. It features a dynamic horse design on the reverse that unites Chinese and British heritage, captured in fine 24K gold. Photographed with a Sony RX100 compact camera and processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

Freedom Girl is the first medallion in the Silver Bullet Silver Shield series done with full creative control given to American sculptress Heidi Wastweet. Heidi is known for her images of strong and beautiful women, most notably "Pandora Defiant". Now she has created a new beauty for a new generation. These coins are made from 1 Troy ounce of 99.999% pure silver and the 47 "bullets" in the design represent the element Silver, whose atomic number is 47 ("Silver Bullet" is also the name of the mint which produces these coins). The medieval Trivium design symbolizes the foundation for individual freedom from outside manipulation. These coins (A.K.A. "rounds" or "medallions" are not legal tender and have no "face value"....they are for collectors and investors in precious metals). Camera: Sony RX100

The reverse / rear of the "Veritas Lux Mea" silver "Round" / "Medallion" designed by American sculptress Heidi Wastweet, the first in her new Latin series (see previous photo). Photographed with a Sony RX100 compact camera and processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

This Silver "Round" was designed by American sculptress Heidi Wastweet, the first in her new Latin series. The inscription translates as "Truth Is My Light" or "Truth Enlightens Me". Photographed with a Sony RX100 compact camera and processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

The Mexican Libertad Silver Bullion Coins are struck annually for investors and collectors and were first minted in 1982. A winged angel design has been portrayed on the coin since its inception but a re-design occurred in 1996 to "make it more attractive" (according to the Mexican Mint). That design, which is still used today, depicts the spectacular Angel of Independence -- an eight ton golden statue on top of a tall slender column in Mexico City. The angel towers above a background of the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl. The obverse or heads side of the coin features an eagle battling a snake (Mexico's national coat of arms), which is surrounded by a wreath and the words "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS". Encircling the center are ten eagle designs that have been used as National Emblems through the centuries, including one depicted in the 16th century Mendocino Codex. The Inscription surrounding the top includes the numerical size following by "ONZA" for "ounce", then "PLATA PURA" for "pure silver", the year of issue, "LEY" (Fine....the purity of the metal measured in "parts per thousand")) and ".999". The "O" above the "M" is the Mexican Mint mark (La Casa de Moneda de México).

The Mexican Libertad Silver Bullion Coins are struck annually for investors and collectors and were first minted in 1982. A winged angel design has been portrayed on the coin since its inception but a re-design occurred in 1996 to "make it more attractive" (according to the Mexican Mint). That design, which is still used today, depicts the spectacular Angel of Independence -- an eight ton golden statue on top of a tall slender column in Mexico City. The angel towers above a background of the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl. The obverse or "heads" side of the coin features an eagle battling a snake (Mexico's national coat of arms), which is surrounded by a wreath and the words "ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS". Encircling the center are ten eagle designs that have been used as National Emblems through the centuries, including one depicted in the 16th century Mendocino Codex. The Inscription surrounding the top includes the numerical size following by "ONZA" for "ounce", then "PLATA PURA" for "pure silver", the year of issue, "LEY" (Fine....the purity of the metal) and ".999" (i.e. 999 parts-per-thousand pure (Silver in this case, or Gold)).

Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials commonly called foxgloves. This genus is native to most parts of Western and South-Western Europe, Western and central Asia, Australasia and North-Western Africa. The scientific name means "finger-like" and refers to the ease with which a flower of Digitalis can be fitted over a human fingertip. The flowers are produced on a tall spike, are tubular and vary in colour with species from purple to pink, white, and yellow. The best-known species is the common foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. This biennial plant is often grown as an ornamental plant due to its vivid flowers which range in colour from various purple tints through various shades of light grey and pure white. The flowers can also possess various marks and spots. A group of medicines extracted from foxglove plants are called Digitalin. It is used to increase cardiac contractility and as an antiarrhythmic agent to control the heart rate. Digitalis is often prescribed for patients in atrial fibrillation, especially if they have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. (Wikipedia).

Wild flowers photographed in Raven's Clough Wood near Brierfield in North-West England. I'm not certain what these are....they appear to be members of the Orchidaceae family (Orchids), most probably one of the "Marsh Orchids" (Dactylorhiza) which can be very variable in appearance and difficult to identify with certainty. These were growing in open deciduous woodland in a high and exposed location. Camera: Sony RX100. Processed with Nikon Capture NX2.

"Sic Semper Tyrannis", one of the most infamous phrases in U.S. history, was shouted by John Wilkes Booth as he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. This phrase (Latin for "thus always to tyrants") encircles the obverse of the newest "round" in the Silver Bullet Silver Shield series. This time it celebrates the overthrow of the Debt and Death paradigm. Here, Freedom Girl stands triumphant over Debt and Death. She holds a spear and a buckler shield emblazoned with the Trivium, both of which she used to slay Debt and Death who is portrayed with his five arrows from the Rothschild's family crest and the chains he used to enslave mankind. The slain foe lies on a pile of U.S. currency, one of his greatest tools in enslaving humanity. (Silver bullet, silver shield). Photographed with a Sony RX100 camera and processed with Nikon NX2 software.

"Freedom Girl" is the first medallion in the Silver Bullet Silver Shield series done with full creative control given to American sculptress Heidi Wastweet. Heidi is known for her images of strong and beautiful women, most notably "Pandora Defiant". Now she has created a new beauty for a new generation. Men have been known to fight to the death for women, treasure and freedom. Freedom Girl is a stunning combination of all three. Every aspect of Heidi's design brings out a gorgeous update of the classic Peace Dollar. The original Peace Dollar had her hair tied in a bun with an uncomfortable tiara perched on her head. Freedom Girl's hair is wild and free. Freedom Girl's parted lips and gaze of almost ecstasy looking forward to the future is so seductive, as Freedom should be. Even her shoulder arching forward brings out more emotion from this modern beauty. She is finished off with the modern cues of a hoop earring and a tattoo of the Trivium. (Edited & shortened extract from an article at The Numismatic Bibliomania Society) . This coin is created on the basis of the "Peace Dollar" which is regarded as one of the most beautiful coins in the world (struck by the U.S. mint after World War One to commemorate the "War to End All Wars"). These coins are made from 1 Troy ounce of 99.999% pure silver. The medieval Trivium design (on her shoulder) symbolizes the foundation for individual freedom from outside manipulation. These coins (A.K.A. "rounds" or "medallions") are not legal tender and have no "face value"....they are for collectors and investors in precious metals.