Here is good information on taking pictures of hard-to-light, small objects such as jewelry and silver. In addition check this for some information about setting up simple photographic lighting.
http://www.deadzoom.com/member/nktower/tutorials/note_on_lighting.html
http://blogs.ebay.com/camerajim
Here's a tips page for taking close-up pictures using a milk jug:
http://www.deadzoom.com/member/nktower/tutorials/Photographing_Small_Objects.html
Try my web site www.erns-eporium.co.uk/images.htm for some info.
http://dougsmith.ancients.info/photo7i.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/essays/vanRiper/020809.htm
http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/coin_photography.htm
Here is great information on scanning coins:
http://www.telesphere.com/scanning.html
Here's a link to camerajim's eBay guide to photographing clothing:
<>
To use a digital camera for taking close-ups of coins the camera needs to be in Macro Mode, indicated by a tulip logo (not all cameras have this mode). An example can be seen here
http://www.erns-eporium.co.uk/images_files/photo2.htm
Are you using the camera in macro mode for your closeups? Here is what it's capable of doing. I don't think you need another camera.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/DX7440/FULLRES/7440MAC.HTM
