Does PCGS slab finger-printed coin?

drddm

I just bought a coin from a VERY reputable dealer (who I won't mention by name out of respect) and found out it has big finger-print on the obverse field. I noticed it when I rotated it just right under the light and using a 5X glass. I am returning the coin to this dealer, of course, but was curious if anyone knows if PCGS slabs coins with fingerprints.

Thanks

Russ

Yes, they do. No reason not to.

Russ, NCNE

drddm

Russ,

What happens to that finger print over time? Does it become darker or does something else happen?

JRocco

If you ask them nicely, they will even give you a nice new fingerprint

Russ

<< <i>What happens to that finger print over time? Does it become darker or does something else happen? >>



Sometimes a fingerprint can end up etching the surfaces of a coin, or become darker and uglier. Other times, though, a print can be stable for many years and remain unchanged. Just depends on how contaminated the finger and/or the surfaces of the coin were at the time it happened.

Russ, NCNE

drddm

Can anyone think of a good reason to keep a finger printed coin (key date, common, or otherwise)?

dwssws

all the time! if you ask them nicely they will thumbprint the obverse and forefinger the reverse or vice versa

Merch

Just out of curiosity, was it a Quarter? There have been a couple posts on this Quarter that is certified by PCGS....(PR70 if I remember correctly) that has a huge, very distinct thumb print on it. Whenever someone buys it, they complain and sell it to someone else. Anyway, just curious.

drddm

No, this is not a Quarter. It's a Lib Nickel.

Russ

<< <i>all the time! if you ask them nicely they will thumbprint the obverse and forefinger the reverse or vice versa >>



If you ask REAL nicely, you can get the middle finger.

Russ, NCNE

drddm

Can anyone think of a reason to keep a fingerprinted coin and am I making the right decision in returning it?

ChangeInHistory

I'd return it. Fingerprints have a negative on eye-appeal but they can still be slabbed.

Merch

It really depends what your purpose for buying it was. Is it because you like that certain style coin? Then return it. If you bought it for investment purposes......its in a PCGS holder, isnt it guaranteed? Actually let me reitterate..return it, if you go to sell it later it might be a hastle to get rid of, or you might not get full price. If you got a smoking deal keep it..if not return it. I think I am finished now.....

Myqqy

It all depends on your personal preferences- some collectors absolutely hate fingerprints, and will never look at any coin with fingerprint action. So, if you acquire a print for your collection, be mindful that it's resale value will have some limits. I have one morgan toner that has significant prints on the obverse, and I think it looks pretty cool- it's my "tiger striped" toner....

orie

I have a top pop MS66 PCGS with a finger print. My son who knows nothing about coins was looking thru my coins and noticed it. I was impressed!!

Deadhorse

I swear, when I read the title of this thread I thought it said; "Does PCGS fingerprint coins they slab?"

The obvious answer to both your question and my dsylexic reading is yes, yes they do.

PerryHall

According to several past threads, PCGS creates finger-printed coins.

pharmer

Yes. Yes, they do.

Shamika

Most definitely. However, the finger-print can severely hurt the grade.

morgannut2

The grease and salts of a print can be be stablized with a Ph neutal solution after a solvent removes anything else.

Yes they can be down graded--On the other hand if it's pretty and original, you can sometimes get a real technical gem quite cheaply below the big price jump. Depends on how noticable print looks.

dizzyfoxx

I've seen many, many in slabs.

SUPERCARCOINS

.......a finger print at one time may have effected the grade - but nowdays

i think it has very little bearing