When criminals are involved, and finger prints are left on site, detectives would take samples of it, and compare it to a database. That said, I >heard< there is some kind of computerized software that tries to match the fingerprint to it's database.

Now, is that impossible for coin identification, or that's still too costly to be pratical, or I am talking garbage?

Sure it's possible, coins ARE like fingerprints as no two are the same. But it would take an extraordinary database and lots and lots of quality pics.

Wild idea, but I cannot imagine anyone who'd take the time to put that one together.

Why would anyone want to do this?

Why not? If you have an unknown coin, such as Chinese, Islamic, ancients and such, wouldn't such software be neat?

It's certainly possible, but as you said, probably too costly to be pratical. I don't know how to program an image recognition system. I guess we'll have to wait until a new generation of coin collector programmers grows up.

What you are talking about is imaging recognition software.

I brought this up in another topic

http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php?showtopic=6014&hl=

I still think it would be an awesome thing if someone could create a database with pics for a user to determine what coin they have. But as GDJMSP said it would take lots of pics.

Brett indeed I have forgotten about it.

Here is an article that I thought was neat.

http://technology.guardian.co.uk/online/st...1358563,00.html

If SCHOOLS can install such systems, I really wonder how much it costs to make such program

Back in the late 70s or early 80s there were a number of projects to create grading databases for coins based upon AI rules and "high" resolution image capture which was emerging. With 3D imaging accelerating as it is, it's only a matter of time before automated grading systems will at least assist the TPGs. The same systems would make coin identification and counterfeit identification via database a distinct possibility. Lots of fun. I wish I had the funds to create a prototype of such a system.