Fingerprints In A Proof Set

There was a story floating around several years ago. An inside gov't story, probably fake news. It apparently never made the news or press. Many years ago, an irate/disgruntled mint employee was maliciously, systematically and intentionally tagging mint sets, proof sets and commemoratives with his (or her) fingerprints before they were encased in the mints plastic cases or cellophane wrappers! Years later, these fingerprints started appearing on the coins. Many customers started complaining to the mint, writing letters, calling and sending back the sets they had purchased.

The key here is that the sets were directly purchased from the mint in original packaging, not bought second or third hand and tampered with. This was not a one-off problem for the mint. It was apparently a major problem and concern for them. The concern was brought to attention of high levels gov't officials. i,e;.. Mint Director, Treasury Secretary, etc...

As some of the above posts have shown, the fingerprints were distinctive, clear and identifiable. Convinced the fingerprints originated at the mint, these executives requested an FBI investigate.

The mint employee (he or she), obviously forgot they were federal employees and their fingerprints were on file in the FBI's civil fingerprint division. Long story short, the employee had retired years earlier and had since past away.

Like I said: An inside gov't story, probably fake news.

Now you can tell all your friends you heard it here first.