Do fingerprints change a coin's grade?
fcloud
Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
The subject line says it all.
When coins are graded, do the graders take into account the fingerprints on a coin? If so, how much would it knock down a grade? One point? Two? Body bag? Would it impact a white coin more than a toned coin?
Did you know if you were not the original submitter of a coin and it grows a fingerprint over time, that PCGS will only look at the coin if you send them twenty-five bucks?
Does PCGS go out of their way to make their customers upset?
Comments???
When coins are graded, do the graders take into account the fingerprints on a coin? If so, how much would it knock down a grade? One point? Two? Body bag? Would it impact a white coin more than a toned coin?
Did you know if you were not the original submitter of a coin and it grows a fingerprint over time, that PCGS will only look at the coin if you send them twenty-five bucks?
Does PCGS go out of their way to make their customers upset?
Comments???
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
0
Comments
First, what's a coin worth with a major fingerprint - not worth buying, in my book.
The second issue is a print developing after submission. I photograph my coins extensively. It's worth documenting the condition of a coin before submission so that if problems develop afterwards, you have recourse. This is the primary reason I don't crack out coins - the issue of who put the print on the coin. If you send it in slabbed, there is no question.
Andy
First POTD 9/19/05!!
The print draws way too much attention from the coin, and the thought that our/your trusted grading co. did it, ruins "coin collecting".
Is a finger print important? To me, yes.
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
They can go MS66 with a Finger Print. I have one and really do not know what to do with the thing. Not worth the time and trouble to send it back to PCGS. RC is right, the thing is worthless to me anyway.
Ken
Dan
<>< ~~~
<< <i>the thing >>
That about says it all..
MastaHanky,
I am positive that if I spent the money to send it back it would come back as graded.
Chalk it up to education. I will now look at coins with an eye to try to determine if a fingerprint will show up later!
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
The Thing. An undeterminable print made from either a THumb or a fINGer.
As in: "I know it got "thingered" in the slabbing room".
Have you thought about NCS? I've heard they do wonders with fresh prints...
Andy
First POTD 9/19/05!!
Either way, I prefer to have no prints. As far as I know, I don't believe there is a fool-proof way to predict if a fingerprint will develop on the coin in the future.
Its likely, that some coins have been slabbed with visible prints. I'm not a grader, and any guess of mine with respect to a print's effect on the grade, is that, a guess.
As always, buy what you feel good about. Move on. Kscope
So I think there is more to factor in than just asking if a print can affect the grade; the answer is maybe.
perfectstrike
Certainly a fingerprint will make a coin more difficult to sell.
Zombie thread-21 years old and the answer is still "yes".
I don’t like fingerprints and, yes, they limit the grade.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
No, once it's baked or etched into the surface it's toast!
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
It might limit the grade but I don't believe it prevents it from getting a straight grade.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
That’s correct. There are plenty of straight graded coins with blatantly large and/or noticeable fingerprints.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I should start a thread: "Post your graded coins with fingerprints" 😉
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
A fingerprint doesn’t change the “grade” of anything. For me it affects the eye appeal of the coin and becomes an easy pass. Others may not care.
Since "eye appeal" is a grading factor, I can see an ugly fingerprint dropping the grade of a mint state coin a point or two.
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
Such wisdom and so worthy to add to a two decade old thread. Amazing contribution!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I don't like fingerprints myself, but it would be cool to be able to identify whose fingerprint is on a coin, and might even add value if it's from a famous collector or historical figure, I'm thinking of that pretty Gobrecht dollar with the giant print in the field - what if that was Gobrecht's own print, or Mickley's, etc?
Fresh Prints of Bel-Air
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled
Fingerprints are the kiss of death for me. Automatic non-negotiable pass.
Having fun while switching things up and focusing on a next level PCGS slabbed 1950+ type set, while still looking for great examples for the 7070.
This thread is old enough to drink.
In my opinion, a fingerprint should limit an uncirculated coin to the grade of MS62. That's about what a Mint coin gets with a distracting spot or other issue.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
And I was just showing this catamount in tall grass. Will it CAC?
I wonder how this coin looked back in 2003?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/395532522808?itmmeta=01J2Y7NQZ1V602D29PQMFQHNH5&hash=item5c17935538:g:kvYAAOSwbdFmM3Of&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAAwAoRc3EgTdqFRKmMJ/pLa7BHeTR14WjibOkRdxGxKmEpLSwDGznyQmEtu/pVuXS1fXJLwBsjG2c6IivAEutDK7A4xBH0YWU6ckPjjo5kKT+TFxNBYcn8g1OsAEfwA5UDzsOdzcBN8na46KX4DLpHYcQ5qoKu1FysrYKSSJov+FtlL4XOVkVQSIITNAQ9FnU+VsriJqpA2Z24YZonr0tNtcfj3Jg1eOQqouMEiXD2CimnlKUQsz7jbcpvuZeSBUxZZw==|tkp:Bk9SR8z_1seXZA
They didn't even bother removing the outdated(?) $500 sticker before taking pictures of the slab.
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled
Fingerprints can cause a coin to be discounted. What is the highest graded fingerprinted coin you have seen? How did you do with it shopping it around the bourse?
As far as will fingerprinted coins CAC as I don’t seek them no experience with that issue. Submitted any?
Not this again. Why the old threads?
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.
Maybe it actually was in an NGC holder back then. (The title says "NGC set registry")
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.