Fingerpints On Coins - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,607
mokpie New Member Canada 48 Posts	Posted 06/12/2012 6:40 pm Hi All, I did a quick search and couldn't find anything that wasn't more related to cleaning, so hopefully this hasn't been asked too many times. I was wondering if anyone could please tell me how badly a fingerprint will decrease the value of a coin? Obviously I know that it would bring down the value, but, for example, if I find something like a 1966 penny while CRH and it is in otherwise great shape, with luster and no wear, would having a visible fingerprint on it completely ruin it? I've recently found a bunch of older pennies that look great, but have some fingerprints on them - don't know whether to keep them or even if I should be excited about finding them. Thanks! Report this Post to the Staff

basebal21 Bedrock of the Community 13014 Posts	Posted 06/12/2012 6:57 pm It would depend on each coin and how bad the print is. It wouldnt completely ruin the value most of the time but will definitely harm it. Any chance of it being perfect is long gone if its already visible Report this Post to the Staff
barriecarson Valued Member Canada 370 Posts	Posted 06/12/2012 7:19 pm Is there a way to remove the fingerprint? Acetone? Report this Post to the Staff
Broken-Coin Pillar of the Community United States 1812 Posts	Posted 06/12/2012 7:32 pm A number of years back I sent a dozen error coins that I had certified by PCI to ANACS for crossover into their holders... Ten of the coins from PCI received the SAME grade from ANACS, One coin actually went from a MS64-Red to MS65-Red at ANACS... The last error coin pictured below was graded MS65-Red from PCI and returned from ANACS as a MS64-Red... When I visited the ANACS table at the local Westchester, NY coin show and asked why it was dropped down to a 64 grade, Randy mentioned to me that it has a fingerprint on it and any coin with a fingerprint can grade no higher than a MS64... I have mentioned this in a forum post last year and many replies disagreed with me on the Fingerprint/64 Grade... Bottom line is I was told in PERSON from one of ANACS senior graders that the fingerprint was the only reason they deducted one point... Report this Post to the Staff
basebal21 Bedrock of the Community 13014 Posts	Posted 06/12/2012 7:49 pm Quote: Randy mentioned to me that it has a fingerprint on it and any coin with a fingerprint can grade no higher than a MS64... I wonder what PCGS or NGC would say about that Report this Post to the Staff
SsuperDdave Moderator United States 23522 Posts	Posted 06/12/2012 7:57 pm I can't say I'd disagree. Any fingerprinted coin has obviously been handled, and is in the most technical sense no longer Mint State. Show me a 66 with a fingerprint, in a slab, and I'll laugh in your face. Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 06/12/2012 9:43 pm Quote: Show me a 66 with a fingerprint, in a slab, and I'll laugh in your face. I really, really agree with that. Not sure how many times I've seen coins with a finger print on at a coin show and just couldn't sell unless the price was rock bottom. In one instance I found a 1995 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent with a large print right on the face. It was what could have been MS-65 or better. I got it for $10 and thought I either was a jerk or smart. At home I soaked it in Acetone and the finger print must have been new because it came off completely. This doesn't work for finger prints on a coin that has been there for a long time. Acetone will not even dent a long time in place finger print. Quote: I've recently found a bunch of older pennies that look great, but have some fingerprints on them - don't know whether to keep them or even if I should be excited about finding them. I suggest at least giving them a chance with some acetone. If nothing happens, you would be out only about $4 or $5 for the Acetone. Just remember that saying OLD doesn't mean that even without the print, still might be just a ordinary, plain coin. IF your planning on just placing them back in circulation, still try some other things and let us know how you did. Report this Post to the Staff
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