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 Replies: 13 / Views: 3,596 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
589 Posts |
I went to 2 separate banks today on my lunch hour and received $ 120.00 in halves. Went through them for silver but got skunked, But I did find a 1977S and a Bi-Centennial S Half Dollar.
They are in incredible proof condition but they do have finger prints on them. So my question is how can I get these finger prints off them without scratching them.
Thanks for all the help in advance.
John
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2519 Posts |
If the fingerprints are fresh, they would come off in acetone. But if they are old fingerprints I don't think they can be removed safely. I had coins with old fingerprints on them, acetone did nothing to remove them.
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Valued Member
United States
183 Posts |
I use a Microfiber type cloth to wipe my coins down- Money is incredibly dirty and unsanitary.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2519 Posts |
Won't wiping coins with a cloth scratch it?
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Valued Member
United States
78 Posts |
I have also had success removing gunk from copper and nickel coins with a VERY Strong (and dangerous) solution of Lye(drain cleaner). Like a two parts lye to one part water. Make sure to use gloves and always mix lye into water, NOT water into lye. Silver coins should also work. Do NOT use on aluminum coins, lye will eat right through.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4901 Posts |
Wow....rubbing with a cloth and soaking in a lye solution...
It should be filed under "How to make your coins worth only the metal they contain"
Stick to acetone....
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Moderator
 United States
188213 Posts |
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Won't wiping coins with a cloth scratch it? Yes. Quote:
Stick to acetone....  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
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I use a Microfiber type cloth to wipe my coins down Quote:
I have also had success removing gunk from copper and nickel coins with a VERY Strong (and dangerous) solution of Lye(drain cleaner). Sorry but that is TERRIBLE advice on both counts, either method will most certainly damage coins  As for the OP, unless the fingerprints are very fresh then they have already been permanently etched into the mirrored fields. Acetone will remove fresh prints and E-Z-Est dip will remove fingerprints from uncirculated coins but proofs are very delicate and easily ruined. Edited by biokemist6
07/10/2014 4:03 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
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Sorry but that is TERRIBLE advice on both counts, either method will most certainly damage coins
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It should be filed under "How to make your coins worth only the metal they contain"
Stick to acetone.... This is what CCF is all about, "Education is the key to collector success." |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
Especially with the shiny proofs, any attempt to clean the fingerprint is just going to dull the coin. I would just leave it as is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1300 Posts |
Im going to agree..i messed up more than once handling coins and placing them into holders..since then I have switched to white gloves and no longer touch any keeper coin..my worst mess up 1961 proof cameo dime...yep and its there forever.. But still a neat cameo set of coins they look great!! Other than that dime..sheesh but it is what it is. I essentially devalued it..but will mot devalue it anymore by. attempting to clean.. Some lessons are learned the hard way!! Handle with care!!
That being said..ya found it roll searching..so have fun and learn on a 50 cent piece dont find out the hard way on a numismatic piece!!
Edited by rupester
07/11/2014 12:03 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
Good point. You could try the acetone since it will still be worth the 50 cent face you paid for it afterward. And lets be honest, a common Kennedy proof is only worth maybe $5 in absolute perfect condition anyway.
I just think it might strip a little of the mint luster along with the fingerprinct.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4901 Posts |
Acetone will do squat to the "mint luster"
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
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Acetone will do squat to the "mint luster" Thanks for the correction and I can confirm it after using it to remove a black spot from a mint 2012 NP quarter last night. The luster looks better, actually! |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 3,596 |
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Posted 07/10/2014 1:27 pm
