Inherited a 1964 Kennedy half Dollar with "fingerprint" finish any info?
BigBird
Posts: 24 ✭
I am new to coin collecting and recently inherited a few coins and the Kennedy caught my eye do to the unusual markings on the finish. Can anyone help with information on it, or tell me a good place to get additional info? Thanks!
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Probably just picked it up from an album. Nothing special
I'm thinking that could well be LBJ's fingerprint and in the information age all you need is a letter of provenance, etc. it could be worth big bucks, you just need to find out whose it is.
Once upon a time someone put (nylon) strapping tape on it.
Welcome to coin collecting & the forum.
The lines you are seeing might be toning from storage conditions. Think about the lines in cardboard or fabric.
Well its on both sides and def looks like its part of the coin
I think your on to something, ill go talk to uncle big foot
its def not a fingerprint, i thought maybe it was made from when tossed into bag after mint but guess i should of expected some answer like this 
It was stored in a fabric bag, the lines go the same direction on both sides. The fabric causes toning that can play tricks on your eyes.
Knowing my Grandma it was never in one and i do think it looks a bit different then a pressed album, but appreciate the response!
It could have been any piece of paper in a drawer or a piece of strapping tape. It's nothing special
The Fabric bag makes sense, i never knew my grandma to store any of her coins in anything like that though....is there anyway to tell if it could of been made from the bags at the mint?
Mint bags usually leave a different pattern than yours. And will be one sided.
Gotcha well thanks for the info!
Gotcha well thanks for the info
Would it be worth cleaning off the paint on this liberty coin, for my own collection and if so what would be the best to use?
Sorry for using same forum, but as i got one of my mysteries solved, figured could try and work on another! Thanks ahead of time for any info!
Also i took a picture of the Kennedywith flash in case it helped but the fabric theory i guess makes sense, though i didnt realize they were that "touchy"but thats why i came here!! Thanks again
The fabric could have also been a pants pocket that it fell out of after several years. Some craft or embossed papers have small raised lines also. A old wedding envelope could also make that look. Who knows how it was stored but it toned it.
You might want to try acetone to get the paint off the quarter. Soak don't rub!
Welcome to the forum @BigBird.
Crop your pics please. Still trying to figure out what that white background is behind the Kennedy and the stringy stuff above Liberty.
@BigBird .... Welcome aboard... the paint will come off with an acetone soak - use pure acetone, not fingernail polish remover....as far as the pattern on the Kennedy, it is post mint damage from storage in some material... unlikely to be a mint bag.....Likely pressed between two surfaces and stored for a long period... No numismatic value. Cheers, RickO
You can use just about any paint solvent you want on the silver. Just DON'T RUB IT AT ALL! Let the solvent do all the work.
It may not be "special", let's concede the point, it's not the find if the century. But,
I do think it's part of the coin and as minted or from bag storage.
I have a couple like it that were in an original roll I opened. Will look this weekend and try to post pics.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Until now i had not seen another.
It's clear it's not worth a special fortune, but maybe other members have one too and we can discuss the phenomenon.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Must be a comedian.
Hang in there BigBird, some cynics and smartasses always jump on new people because some trollers are always pulling our chain by posting pics of pocket change and arguing. But your posts don't seem like goofing us but a curious introductee to numismatics.
Welcome.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I've seen a lot of them over the years. Sometimes, it's just ink from a page. Sometimes it's a toning pattern from a bag or corrugated cardboard. Sometimes it is strapping tape. That particular one looks like some kind of foreign substance which is why I suggest tape. Look at the back of the neck and between "WE" and the base of the bust.
It is definitely NOT as minted. It is almost definitely a foreign substance on the surface from improper storage.
I think I'm going to get a box of quarters and take any coins without a W down into the shop and torture them with tools and various chemicals. Once I release them back into circulation, we can probably generate 10 years worth of new threads.
You might consider soaking the half dollar in acetone.
Thank you for everyones information and assistance! I def look forward to interacting with you all more in the future!
It almost looks like glue residue from those older photo albums. I can imagine the coin being placed in that type of album
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That is where I’ve seen that pattern before; but on old photos! Thanks @Tunis that pattern has been bugging me since the start of this thread, now I can relax for the weekend.
As a novice collector, this learning experience is fascinating to me! Having this piece in my collection for the story alone is fantastic!> @jmlanzaf said:
I think i might give this a go this week, if the lines are from storage conditions (seems like most likely scenario) it should say for certain. But kinda hate the thought of loosing the piece even thats all it was..may have think on it some more
While continuing to sort thru the additional coins another coin caught my eye as it is very unusual. Its a 1966 nickel which at first look appears to be copper color, however looking closely it appears the edges are slightly scraped. ?!
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It definitely appears to be heavily oxidated or something but still looks unusual to me
Looks like it has been underground for a bit; was found by a metal detector; then dumped into a Coin Star or bank; rolled; and ultimately found it’s way to you.
You know what that makes alot of sense based on what im seeing especially zoomed in and with flash. Thank u very much for the response!
Thanks for cropping suggestion, was first post so thought it would autocrop, doh. The 1964 Kennedy was taking on a sudo wool blanket. The quarter was taken on the edge of my chair zoom in but as stated didnt think the chair stuffing fuzz would show up 😋
@BigBird
At least you did not include hands/fingers nor dirty hands/fingers.
Lol....very True! Even I, have a line i wouldn't cross!😵
When I see prints I look for lines or imperfections hidden beneath