Feelings on fingerprints
50cCOMMEMGUY
Posts: 211 ✭✭✭
So I regularly see some spectacular toning on gem coins but then I see a dreaded fingerprint. To me, it’s a dealbreaker. How about everyone else?
"Today the crumbs, tomorrow the
loaf. Perhaps someday the whole damn boulangerie." - fictional Jack Rackham
Feelings on fingerprints
This is a public poll: others will see what you voted for.
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1
Comments
I hate finger prints on coins. I can tolerate a small unobtrusive print if the coin is otherwise nice.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
When I see a coin with a fingerprint, large spot, or other unsightly issue, that's all I see. I just can't get passed it, no matter how nice the coin is otherwise. I always pass on these coins.
Latent print...bad! Nice to be able day say I'll pass. Peace Roy
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No it never looked right to me
I voted that it depends on the coin. A big obvious print? No. But I bought this coin with a small print in front of Liberty's face:
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It is extremely unlikely that I would purchase a coin with a fingerprint. That being said, if it were a rare coin and an unbelievable bargain...Well, maybe...Cheers, RickO
very minor, almost imperceptible fingerprints might be OK, but clear prints are a turn-off for me.
Most coins are not rare enough to have to compromise on something like a fingerprint which takes away from the eye appeal of the coin
Latin American Collection
No way, fingerprints on my coins drive me nuts!
Depends on coin and print. Lots of threads over the years on this subject. I love this print.
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
This is a coin where fingerprints are OK with me. There was another post recently that had a coin with a print that looked cool.
A finger print spoils spoils it for me.
If I collected rarities I'd probably rationalize the occasional compromise.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Some of the best monster toners have prints. On some it actually added character. Both of these I paid through the teeth for and both I sold for a profit
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I love this bust quarter and don’t mind what appears to be a fingerprint on the obverse.
Hate em, made some mistake buys in the past with prints but I avoid them now at all costs. For those who collect some series where examples are tough to find I can see where a print may be acceptable in some cases.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Is that more (or less) expensive than paying through your nose?
Not into finger prints!
My nose has been broken several and I mean several times with a hockey puck. My front lower teeth knocked out as well ( end of a stick). I’m thinking teeth still.
I paid just shy of 10k for both of those coins.
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Not a fan of prints or toning. Really lowers the eye appeal.
It was sort of a rhetorical question/lame attempt at humor, but sorry to hear about your hockey injuries. Both of those coins are beauties and I'm glad you made a profit upon sale.
Almost always pass on prints, but once in a blue moon a coin will overcome it...
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Oh I know! I chuckled
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
If you could identify a finger print as coming from say George Morgan on a Morgan Dollar, or Abraham Lincoln on an Indian Head Cent, wouldn't that made a finger print extremely valuable?
I would only buy mine
It depends on the coin and how the print blends (or doesn't).
Some Franklin Halves with mint set toning and light prints look pretty cool.
In general, the larger the coin, the lesser the negative impact.
A dark print on a 3cs would not be good.
I said absolutely not, but perhaps it depends upon who's fingerprint it is... provenance and all... ;-)
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If buying it depends. I sold off the bulk of my collection recently. A few of the uncirculated moderns I bought in the 70's developed fingerprints over the time I owned them. I won't sell those ones to anyone.
The battle scars of all the good times
Only acceptable to me when the print blends in nicely with the toning and is obscured, as in some of the examples above. I would only accept on classic coins.
I don't generally love them, but on some coins they're tolerable:
I paid up for this Pf Brown Cent with remnants of prints on both sides.
Have not seen a more attractive '40 that I could afford !
For me, it all depends on the coin and the overall impact that the print has on the look. This one doesn't bother me at all, and it has lots of prints!
Roseanne Barrett I - CAC Morgan Dollar Basic Set, Circulation Strikes (Retired)
Roseanne Barrett - CAC Basic Seated Liberty Type Set, Circulation Strikes
Depends. This lustrous mint state peace dollar had a minor fingerprint above “TRUST” that I really didn’t like So I just polished it off. Others I don’t mind as much.
I voted depends on the coin
I don't mind the print on this coin.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
If it’s not too obvious; I am willing to overlook it but, otherwise, no way.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
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How do prints affect the grade?
Very acceptable print in my opinion...
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ALERT - OLD THREAD RESURRECTION
Rather than create a new topic on on fingerprints, I thought this thread had many good photos that still remain and I wish to add to it.
I will avoid purchasing coins with fingerprints, but this example has one fairly hidden in the toning:
As such, it was acceptable to me. Who else would wish to opine on this issue?
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
^^ On this coin I'd let it slide.
Years ago it was okay, considering it straight graded. Not today.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Depends on the coin for me. This print adds some character.
Coin Photographer.
I used to hate any kind of fingerprints on coins. Much to my chagrin I put quite a few on coins as a kid filling blue books. In the last ten years or so I kind of changed my opinion and actually have a couple of Bust and Seated coins with partial fingerprints. Nothing extremely rare, but I would be open to a rarer date having that on it. James
I don't like white coins or toned coins with fingerprints.
This was the only exception.
In person the colors are much more vibrant than this image shows. I also believe this coin is PL.
Outside of this coin no I don't like fingerprints.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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To me it's according to the individual coin and the fingerprint's location and its depth(light or heavy). While I do not like fingerprints on coins, I would not say in every instance it would be a deal killer. JMO
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Usually a copper coin looks okay with a fingerprint, silver however, well that’s a different story.
God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.
Depends on the coin and the degree of the impact of the latent.
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If it was a famous person's print, validated by DNA testing, it might carry some desirability. Barring that, or some cool toning who wants their collectibles tagged ?
IMHO the only things worse than fingerprints are whizzing, cleaning and holes, gouges ,scrstches.
Scratches.
Depends on the size of the coins. On small coins (dime size) only part of the print shows it can be kinda cool.