Introduction

Gentlemen, and Ladies,
My name is Richard, but I go by Dick. I live in Belleview, FL. I am 22 years retired US Navy. I am an Evangelist now in my retirement, and usually am traveling all over the US and a few foreign countries. I got into this because of the virus. I bought two bags of foreign coins 35 years ago and put them in my safe until now. With so much time on my hands, I decided to start going through them. I am very new to coin collecting so please be patient with me. First question: What is the best way to take a picture of a coin? I tried with my cell phone and the coin on my desk, but if I get right over the coin, I block the light.

Welcome on board
You may try the light on your cell phone.
I usually use a scanner
Some are using a picture-box, like this tutorial

Thanks

Welcome on board (pun intended).
I suggest a similar setup that Beekeeper posted in a different thread when you don't want to do an arts and craft project:

I wish you a nice day and evening and especially health.

Hi ,,dick7coiny,, if you do not want to publish for artistic and high quality. A mobile phone is also fully
sufficient , so it's just really all about the game of light.

My phone is cheap Xiaomi redmi 5 , A paper box glued with paper tape and I built a light tape with an old lamp , and additional light from the second lamp only when needed. Without long preparation and hastily for your illustration, two coins are also randomly from the pile, so the demonstration without special effects was photographed by a mobile phone. That's enough for me, someone might be more demanding for me.
Ivan

Thank you so very much for answering.

" I am very new to coin collecting"
- welcome to Numista "Dick7Coins"

The first thing you might want to do is organize your collection by nation & coin's value. Remember to store them in a dry place & put them in decent sleeves (& you can get cheap pages & a binder over time). All of these coin supplies can be bought online (eBay or check the "Shops & Markets" from the "Outings" to the right of the Forum button).

There will be times when you may want more info so I suggest you keep posting questions on the coins forum here (& even join other online forums such as Coin Community Family). You will have to be patient & try not to get ruffled by some of the answers you may get.

"I bought two bags of foreign coins 35 years ago and put them in my safe until now."
-that's really cool. Good luck discovering what you got & let us know how it turns out!