Fingerprints?

coinpictures

How accepting or unaccepting are you when it comes to fingerprints on UNC coins? Logic would dictate that fingerprints aren't exactly synonymous with "uncirculated."

I just got my latest NEN coin, a Great Britain 1d, 1848/7, NGC MS65 BN. Gorgeous creamy dark brown, but unfortunately two huge honking fingerprints on the obverse. They didn't appear in NEN's pictures or in the description. I'm seriously considering returning the coin...

BS

It depends on how bad they are. Very faint ones I can deal with but if they stand out I know they
will bother me every time I look at the coin.

lordmarcovan

<< <i>Logic would dictate that fingerprints aren't exactly synonymous with "uncirculated." >>

This is why "uncirculated" is a rather illogical term, and why the ANA moved to "Mint State".

Sorry to hear you got a printed coin. If prints are subtle and partial they don't always bother me, but if they're visible enough to be described as "huge honking fingerprints", I would agree with returning the coin, since they're likely to taunt you and haunt you if you keep it.

coinpictures

I've tried to capture them, but it's tough. Looking at the coin straight on, you can't see them, but when you tilt the coin (as you would to check lustre), they jump out.

The coin:




An attempt at capturing the prints. This is widely adjusted in Photoshop in an attempt to "bring out" the prints...




The prints *do* bother me. Question, did all coins of this date have the doubled "E" in "DEF" on the reverse (you can see it above)?

MacCrimmon

<< <i>I've tried to capture them, but it's tough. Looking at the coin straight on, you can't see them, but when you tilt the coin (as you would to check lustre), they jump out.

The coin:




An attempt at capturing the prints. This is widely adjusted in Photoshop in an attempt to "bring out" the prints...




The prints *do* bother me. Question, did all coins of this date have the doubled "E" in "DEF" on the reverse (you can see it above)? >>



I'd have to see it personally to give a real opinion. There is some organic 'gunk' on the rev. in the clover and thistle sprig under the exergue. That "doubling" is just a recut letter.

rhound1977

This one is finger printed and now resides in a NGC slab as MS64 RD, did they discount the grade cause of the print?

Not sure what the TPG policy is on slabing a finger printed MS coins.......

spinaker2000

If it bothers you and you are drawn to the print, I'd return it. NEN will have no problem with that. Personally, I can handle are ridge or two from a print, but if there is more than that I don't like them, esp. on copper. As far as them still being UNC and printed?? The coins had to get into a bag somehow.

edited to add: You do some nice pics!!

wybrit

It sounds like you would be unhappy keeping the coin and that returning it is the right thing to do.

Fingerprints have bothered me more lately. They are quite common on Victorian bronze and copper high grade pieces. If you ever watch many Brit dealers handle coins, after you get over the initial seizure from the experience, you will understand why.

SYRACUSIAN

Fingerprints bother me too, but it depends on their impact on the eye appeal of the coin. Here's a Greek copper coin, with an old fingerprint on the obverse that has turned into blue toning over the years.

coinpictures

<< <i>It sounds like you would be unhappy keeping the coin and that returning it is the right thing to do.

Fingerprints have bothered me more lately. They are quite common on Victorian bronze and copper high grade pieces. If you ever watch many Brit dealers handle coins, after you get over the initial seizure from the experience, you will understand why. >>



Yeah, I already talked to NEN, and they have no problems with my returning the coin.

Re: reaction to dealer handling, I encountered this at the local show with the one "upscale" foreign dealer. I asked him to show me one particularly lovely UNC copper and instead of handing me the coin in the flip, he proceeds to take it out of the flip by putting his fingers on the surfaces. I nearly shrieked. I wanted to smack his hands and shout "STOP THAT!!!"

Still makes me cringe.

wybrit

Re: reaction to dealer handling, I encountered this at the local show with the one "upscale" foreign dealer. I asked him to show me one particularly lovely UNC copper and instead of handing me the coin in the flip, he proceeds to take it out of the flip by putting his fingers on the surfaces. I nearly shrieked. I wanted to smack his hands and shout "STOP THAT!!!"

Still makes me cringe.



I'll bet the flip had PVC too.