Quarter dollar

Heads or tails? Whichever you choose, you can't lose: this ultra high-res 3D model of an American quarter dollar shows every tiny detail and – literally – both sides of the coin. This quarter boasts numerous inscriptions, four images set against a stylized background, a diameter of 24.26 mm (0.955 inches) and a thickness of 1.75 mm (0.069 inches), making it small, thin, and tricky to scan.

The newest iteration of Artec blue-light technology, Artec Spider II, meets the challenge with 0.05 mm resolution, a larger 171 × 152 mm field of view, and a speed rate of 30 FPS: the coin was scanned in just 3 minutes, resulting in every embossing on its sides flawlessly rendered. As usual, the reflective metal surface of the coin caused no trouble for Spider II during scanning.

A swift 15 minutes of processing in Artec Studio, and you can give this model a virtual toss to see every element of its design in 3D, from the classic portrait of George Washington (you can even appreciate not only the noble profile of the American icon, but also oevery single strand of hair in his coiffure) to letters forming "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the surface.

Keep rotating, and you will see that the reverse side of the quarter contains even more fascinating, clearly captured details: it showcases a historic panorama celebrating Jamestown's founding, featuring an iimage representing the three ships that carried English settlers. With a meticulous rendering of hull and sails, you can admire this depiction in all its intricacies. Above the ship, the inscription "JAMESTOWN" is prominently displayed, while "VIRGINIA 1788" is written beneath it – zoom in to study every letter and digit up close.

Whether for CGI, heritage preservation, reverse engineering, design, or industrial purposes, objects captured with Spider II result in 3D models that are true to life and exhibit a mind-blowing level of detail – just like this one, making them ideal for a diverse range of applications.