Fingerprints - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,365
shadowtrooper78 Pillar of the Community United States 1370 Posts	Posted 10/06/2011 09:15 am I have a few silver coins that have fingerprints on them.....only noticeable under magnification however they are there. Would these be a candidate for a quick dip? And by a quick dip I mean less than a second. I know 95% of the time it's a bad idea. However my understanding is that if you do a quick dip of a coin it does not damage the surface. Am I mistaken? Report this Post to the Staff

macmercury Pillar of the Community United States 5826 Posts	Posted 10/06/2011 10:32 am What chemical solutions are you dipping these into? Report this Post to the Staff
shadowtrooper78 Pillar of the Community United States 1370 Posts	Posted 10/06/2011 10:36 am I would be using E-Z-est coin cleaner. It was recommended by two of my local coin dealers. In which they stated as long as you don't dip for any period longer than 2 to 3 seconds the coin should be fine.....and be sure to rinse off with a steady stream of water. Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 10/06/2011 10:48 am Only new prints may come off if they are old they are there forever. John1 Report this Post to the Staff
SeatedNut Pillar of the Community United States 2797 Posts	Posted 10/06/2011 1:08 pm E-Z-Est is best for oxidation (toning). Fingerprints are oils with residue. Unfortunately they are also acidic and if left for a period of time will etch the metal surface of the coin. To remove the oils and residue I would recommend pure acetone followed by a good water rinse. Acetone only affects the organic stuff on the coin and will not affect the metals underneath. Report this Post to the Staff
RealPeso Valued Member United States 426 Posts	Posted 10/06/2011 2:09 pm If they are worth more than melt and have numismatic value I wouldn't mess with them. In my experience with old fingerprints the dip won't remove them and even a quick dip will affect the surface color on the coin since its meant to remove toning. Edited by RealPeso 10/06/2011 2:10 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Saruma Pillar of the Community United States 968 Posts	Posted 10/06/2011 8:45 pm I don't think an acetone dip would hurt. Chances are it is too late, but you never know, and acetone (done properly) doesn't really harm the metal. Report this Post to the Staff
GR58 Bedrock of the Community United States 11951 Posts	Posted 10/06/2011 10:10 pm I agree that a acetone bath would be best to try first. Would be hard to comment on the E-Z-Est. For me it would depend on the coin, it's value and how the overall coin looks. The dip can change more than the finger print. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,365

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