fingerprints related question

toyonakataro

1. Do fingerprints accelerate toning around them(especially from oily man)?
2. If so, do they occasionally bring attractive color around them?
3. If so, do multiple fingerprints sometimes make monster toned peices?

KlectorKid

The oil from you fingers stop toning in that area so i would think it toned by it-self but not in the finger-printed area.

greghansen

<----------Not a metals expert....but definately with opinions on the matter:

1. Natural toning is the product of long term expose to the coins nearby environment. Fingerprints (if one were to consider them toning...I think contamination is more accurate) is the product of direct contact (contamination) with reactive agents (skin oil, taco grease, etc.). I can not think of any reason why the areas of a coin not affected by the fingerprint, would become more reactive to other elements in the environment. So my take on question #1 is...No, fingerprints do not acceslerate toning around them.

2. Since I don't agree with the premise in question #1, I think questions 2&3 are moot, however, I have never seen a coin whose overall appearance I felt was enhanced by a fingerprint....and...it will take a lot of work to convince me that attractive monster toned coins are sometimes the result of multiple fingerprints and/or handling of the coin.

Certainly a colored/toned coin can be affected by a fingerprint, but I think we are talking about a coins reaction to two very different chemical agents. On the flip side, If multiple fingerprints result in a reasonable liklihood that monster toning will develop over the entire piece, we can all break out our mint state pieces and start passing them around at the next club meeting!

toyonakataro

Thanks for clearing up my questions. I was wondering about the affects of fingerprints for a long time.....

<< <i>If multiple fingerprints result in a reasonable liklihood that monster toning will develop over the entire piece, we can all break out our mint state pieces and start passing them around at the next club meeting! >>

How did you know I was thinking about doing that