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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,918 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
923 Posts |
Just bought a set of Canada Aviation Coins. They are silver proof with a GILT inlay. Two have noticeable fingerprints. I have soaked them in acetone and as expected no change. What effect would dipping them have? I would like to remove the fingerprints but don't want to make the situation worse.   |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Dipping removes a small amount of the surface of a Coin. Dipping silver proofs, especially with large fields like this coin, almost always results in a clouding on the surface.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
Definitely do not dip a proof.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1005 Posts |
Only way to remove an etched print on a mirror surface would be to mechanically repolish the surface.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
923 Posts |
Thanks for the feedback.
I've dipped silver proof coins that were cloudy or hazy although not this large. They came out much improved.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
I'm with Ed , Never dip a proof coin .
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3516 Posts |
Don't ever dip a proof, you may of gotten lucky the first time, but don't test your luck
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Moderator
 United States
188524 Posts |
I agree. The mirror surface is not too forgiving and it does not take much to strip it away. I could probably guarantee that the fingerprint layer is going to be thicker. That is, successfully removing it will certainly kill the mirrors.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
 A real no-no. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
I recently had a batch of Silver proof coins treated for fingerprints by the conservation team at PCGS and the results were Not inspiring.
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
Sandpaper will remove it..  |
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Moderator
United States
188524 Posts |
Ouch!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
923 Posts |
Thanks for all the input except of course the sandpaper comment. Guess I will live with the fingerprints on 2 coins. Since a previous owner obviously handled the coins improperly it would probably be a good idea to give the other 8 an acetone bath.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Natural oils of our skin are acidic, and will form metallic organic compounds, and inorganic sulfide compounds.
These take a tiny amount of metal from the polished surface of a proof coin, enough to permanently stain the coin, unfortunately.
If a Mint is going to market proof coins they should be permanently sealed in clear capsules by the Mint as part of their presentation and long term presentation.
It that was the case, they would then never need to be graded.
Permanently mint sealed capsules are even more secure than slabbing. Such coins could then be handled with zero fear of fingerprint staining.
Edited by sel_69l
01/05/2017 6:21 pm
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Moderator
United States
188524 Posts |
Quote:
If a Mint is going to market proof coins they should be permanently sealed in clear capsules by the Mint as part of their presentation and long term presentation... Then how would I get them into my albums?  We do not need to idiot proof everything. We just need fewer idiots. "Education is the key..."  |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,918 |
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Posted 01/03/2017 2:17 pm
