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Which is worst ..OF THE TWO? Rim ding or fingerprint?

topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Poll is only for choosing between RIM DING or FINGERPRINT
There are worse issues, but I'm curious about the dislike of which of ...these two... things turns you off the most.
RIm ding doesn't include massive chunks and fingerprint pertains to any very obvious print.
B)

Which is worst ..OF THE TWO? Rim ding or fingerprint?

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This is a private poll: no-one will see what you voted for.

Comments

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,750 ✭✭✭✭✭

    As much as I hate fingerprints; I think a rim ding is worse.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

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  • No HeadlightsNo Headlights Posts: 2,105 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rim ding in my opinion. Deal killer

  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,842 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Fingerprint no contest, I loathe them.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

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  • thisistheshowthisistheshow Posts: 9,386 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Did the coin with the fingerprint tone in such a way that it sort of blends in? If so, I'll take it. If not, it's worse.

  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @cameonut2011 said:
    It depends on the severity.

    "Ding" and "obvious" was the question.

  • jtlee321jtlee321 Posts: 2,365 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I hate the site of a fingerprint on a silver coin. I just cannot get past them. If they are old, they are there forever and in my opinion more visible than a rim ding.

    Justin Lee Numismatic Photography



    image
  • AotearoaAotearoa Posts: 1,558 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I can look past a fingerprint on old copper. Rim dings rain on the parade.

    Smitten with DBLCs.

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 1, 2019 11:08PM

    @topstuf said:

    @cameonut2011 said:
    It depends on the severity.

    "Ding" and "obvious" was the question.

    I guess it depends on what your definition of "obvious" is. Again, there is a huge spectrum here. A light print that sticks out might not be that bad, and it may be able to be conserved. An old dark print may not be capable of being conserved and might ruin the coin. In fact it could have etched into the surfaces. A small but noticeable ding may be preferable. On the other hand, if it looks like someone shot it out of a slingshot against a rock pile on its edge, then that's not okay (if it would even straight grade even if there are no missing chunks as you phrase it).

    I vote the one that has done the least amount of damage. :)

  • RexfordRexford Posts: 1,313 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Honestly, depending on the coin I find that fingerprints sometimes don't detract from the eye appeal whatsoever, and even add a sense of character. If they tone well they can look pretty on old medals.

    Gobrecht's Engraved Mature Head Large Cent Model
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  • mannie graymannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rim dings ----- I loathe them.

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinhack said:
    A fingerprint may fade into the toning. I have seen some very high priced so-called monster toned coins with what appears to be a fingerprint.

    If it isn't a nicely toned coin and the fingerprint is an eyesore on a silver coin it could be, dare I say it? Dipped.

    In any case, a rim ding is forever.

    It depends. Sometimes finger print residue can be removed. At other times it etches into the surface; therefore, both could technically be forever. This is why I said severity is a major issue. Ditto for size of the affected area.

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @FSF said:
    This is like asking whether you'd rather drink urine or sewer water. There is no good answer.

    If there is ever a thread of quotable posts from this forum, this belongs. I love the analogy!

  • ParadisefoundParadisefound Posts: 8,588 ✭✭✭✭✭

    None of the above :o:/:|

  • 3keepSECRETif2rDEAD3keepSECRETif2rDEAD Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Unc coins with fingerprints were handled by a klutz...Unc coins with rim dings were handled by a moron...only one can qualify to get stickers from my experience...however, in any situation that I have been in, they both suck ;)

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,860 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It depends on the location, size, degree of severity, and what coin it's on. A dark finger print on an early proof Barber half dollar is a big deal. That same finger print on a lightly circulated common date Morgan dollars is not a big deal. A rim ding on a high relief Saint is a big deal while a rim ding on a well circulated early large cent is not a big deal. Like most collectors I don't like either finger prints or rim dings but it may or may not be a deal breaker depending on specific circumstances.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
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  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The poll is very general.... I agree with @PerryHall ....The severity or location of the 'defect' is critical....Cheers, RickO

  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Assume the print is like a huge festering bowl of pus and the rim ding covers one tenth of a reed.
    :p
    Assume further that my posting polls is fast coming to an end.

    :/:|:/:|:D>:)

  • topstuftopstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Assume also that the fingerprint is George Washington's and the rim problem was caused by Sitting Bull bite-testing the coin and both are documented on film which has been authenticated and notarized by a Supreme Court justice.

    B)>:):s;):):'(<3

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,860 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2, 2019 5:53AM

    It also depends on the price of the coin. I can forgive a fingerprint or a rim ding on a very rare coin if it's sharply discounted in price. For example I'd buy a chain cent in VG if it had a rim ding and was priced at a couple hundred dollars without hesitation.

    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

  • dan_marinellidan_marinelli Posts: 195 ✭✭✭

    @mvs7 said:
    You people who loathe the fingerprints are going to be sorry when PCGS develops the technology to certify the fingerprint... "PCGS MS63 - Eliasberg's Fingerprint" or "PCGS AU53 - Thomas Jefferson's Fingerprint" will command quite the premium.

    Yes! Or Abe Lincoln, or George Washington!

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  • OuthaulOuthaul Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A fingerprint can be removed.

  • hchcoinhchcoin Posts: 4,837 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rim dings don't bother me much. Fingerprints drive me nuts.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,837 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Outhaul said:
    A fingerprint can be removed.

    I think that you would need a jack hammer to remove some of them.

    I don't like either one, but if I had to choose, I'd take a small rim nick over an obvious fingerprint.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • nk1nknk1nk Posts: 477 ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2, 2019 8:06AM

    @FSF said:
    This is like asking whether you'd rather drink urine or sewer water. There is no good answer. Rim dings of any severity is unacceptable to me. I could live with a very light not too noticeable fingerprint, if I had to. Like someone was point a gun at my head sorta thing.

    That’s actually an easier question to answer
    Definitely urine.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,258 ✭✭✭✭✭

    both are. ( if the coin is slabbed your kinda screwed ) jmo

  • basalstatebasalstate Posts: 71 ✭✭✭

    Hmm, I think I have one coin with both. I guess the fingerprint bothers me slightly more, but not enough to do anything about it.

  • Aspie_RoccoAspie_Rocco Posts: 3,694 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I voted wrong by accident. :s
    Rim damage is damaged. Prints are distracting most of the time.
    I would rather have a print than damage.

    https://www.autismforums.com/media/albums/acrylic-colors-by-rocco.291/

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @topstuf said:
    Assume also that the fingerprint is George Washington's and the rim problem was caused by Sitting Bull bite-testing the coin and both are documented on film which has been authenticated and notarized by a Supreme Court justice.

    B)>:):s;):):'(<3

    But which, if either, would sticker? That's what really matters. ;)o:)

  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Many odd sized major error coins can get a (small) rim ding from counting and sorting machinery.

    That said big ugly fingerprints are always a deal killer :s

  • basalstatebasalstate Posts: 71 ✭✭✭

    Found my coin with both, was graded PCGS F15.

  • Dave99BDave99B Posts: 8,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rim dings are damage. Way worse IMO.

    Dave

    Always looking for original, better date VF20-VF35 Barber quarters and halves, and a quality beer.
  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,581 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I agree that the coin and the severity of the damage come into play, but if I had to choose... I'll pass on rim dings... especially if I can see them when they're in my album.. ;-)

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

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  • Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 9,270 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rim ding for sure. Latent is a distraction none the less. Peace Roy

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  • thisnamztakenthisnamztaken Posts: 4,101 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pretty much a toss-up for me, depending upon the severity of the lost eye appeal.

    I never thought that growing old would happen so fast.
    - Jim
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Would you rather scrape one of your wheel rims parking your car, or return to it and find a giant bird splatter has stained the paint on the hood?

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • hchcoinhchcoin Posts: 4,837 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @basalstate said:
    Found my coin with both, was graded PCGS F15.

    Now I like that one! Fingerprint doesn't bother me at all and the rim issue is extremely minor.

  • hchcoinhchcoin Posts: 4,837 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Dave99B said:
    Rim dings are damage. Way worse IMO.

    Dave

    Are they any more damage than bag marks? People don't seem to mind those on silver dollars.

  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That was easy...….fingerprints don't even bother me. Whereas rim dings are damage.

  • hchcoinhchcoin Posts: 4,837 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DIMEMAN said:
    That was easy...….fingerprints don't even bother me. Whereas rim dings are damage.

    What do you think about my question above your post?

    Are they any more damage than bag marks? People don't seem to mind those on silver dollars.

  • MICHAELDIXONMICHAELDIXON Posts: 6,590 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I could never get past a coin with rim dings. I would rather have the fingerprint. In fact, I've seen some awesome toned coins with fingerprints. But....I've never seen awesome coins with rim dings,

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  • DIMEMANDIMEMAN Posts: 22,403 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @hchcoin said:

    @DIMEMAN said:
    That was easy...….fingerprints don't even bother me. Whereas rim dings are damage.

    What do you think about my question above your post?

    Are they any more damage than bag marks? People don't seem to mind those on silver dollars.

    Bag marks are worse yet, but I don't collect Morgan Dollars.

  • bsshog40bsshog40 Posts: 3,970 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I voted for rim ding. At least a coin with a fingerprint can get graded, but most times a rim ding will BB it.

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  • CCGGGCCGGG Posts: 1,267 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Depends on severity of both. I really hate any fingerprints but I can live with "minor" rim dings.

  • vplitevplite Posts: 1,385 ✭✭✭

    Neither. I avoid both.

    The Golden Rule: Those with the gold make the rules.
  • Desert MoonDesert Moon Posts: 5,997 ✭✭✭✭✭

    big oily ole finger, yikes........

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