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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,684 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1261 Posts |
I hate fingerprints but really like this 1801 Bust Dollar. Do you think these are fingerprints? (Note, I angled the camera and used the lighting to enhance the toning/"print") First the Obverse:   Then on the Reverse:   Edited by chesterb
12/30/2017 10:34 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
169 Posts |
Indeed they are finger prints
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
Yea, but very old so any damage is long ago done, may not get any worse. Adds a bit of character mystery to the coin, for the age and condition you can be assured it's in a long ago skin state. A beautiful condition for the age.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3479 Posts |
Yes but when they have aged that much, I actually find them appealing. It gives the coin character and adds to the eye appeal.
Just imagine if we had finger print records from back then. If it came back as John Adams, you would have a multi-million dollar coin. Only the super affluent and bankers held these.
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Moderator
 United States
188391 Posts |
I agree with what is said above. I think they add to this coin's appeal.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
I definitely see prints on the reverse, but I agree that they are in their terminal state and should not get any worse. It would be nice to think that they are 19th-century prints.  On that coin, it wouldn't worry me. In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
However you might want to try Acetone dip. If those are recent, the Acetone may get rid of them and not hurt the coin at all. Nothing to loose. Only if those are from 1801, you may well have something to brag about.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3540 Posts |
No doubt those are ridges from a fingerprint.
Great catch!!
I am with Crazyb0 on this - definitely adds a little bit more history to the coin. Those finger prints occurred when this coin was AU or better condition.
Thank you for sharing!!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1261 Posts |
Quote:
However you might want to try Acetone dip. If those are recent, the Acetone may get rid of them and not hurt the coin at all. I've been studying the coin and the so-called prints are part of the toning now...not secondary to it so I don't think a dip would help it. Plus I'd have to remove it from the PCGS holder. I have the coin on approval so I was deciding whether to move forward with it or not and honestly these prints are the only thing I see wrong with it. It would be nice to add one of these Bust Dollars to my collection and I'm just deciding if the prints are enough to justify sending it back and waiting. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
It would be nice to see full obverse and reverse photos.
Those fingerprints wouldn't bother me a bit. A lot better than scratches.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4469 Posts |
Fingerprints on circulated classic coins are part of the history. If the fingerprints were on a uncirculated coin, then they are an issue.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1261 Posts |
I just took new full images and posted them in the grading section for thoughts but, get this...the image revealed what appears to be a clear fingerprint in the hair of Liberty. I've studied this coin in all sorts of light and can't see that print at all! It looks just like a few toning spots so it never bothered me. These images pick it up. I can see the others but they don't appear in these images as much.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Leave well enough alone. This is a very attractive coin as it is. |
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Moderator
United States
188391 Posts |
Quote:
I just took new full images and posted them in the grading section for thoughts but, get this...the image revealed what appears to be a clear fingerprint in the hair of Liberty. I've studied this coin in all sorts of light and can't see that print at all! It looks just like a few toning spots so it never bothered me. These images pick it up. I can see the others but they don't appear in these images as much. Seems like your camera has better eyesight than you.  |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,684 |
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Posted 12/30/2017 10:45 pm
