@Steven59 said:
Funny how it's only the people, that have coins with finger prints, that like finger prints!
No one "likes" fingerprints. Like bag marks, people accept them as a reality of collecting coins that have been owned and handled by non-coin collectors or by clumsy careless collectors. If anyone here truly likes fingerprints, send me your raw coins and I'll be happy to fingerprint them for you and I only charge $5 per coin plus return shipping.
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
I understand from most of the replies that fingerprints, especially on an otherwise white coin, are a big turnoff and therefore negatively affect value. Most of the examples given were on higher grade coins, MS63 and above. What about AU and low MS coins? Is the effect of a fingerprint on desirability and value going to be less?
Folks shouldn't discount that the fingerprint came from a Mint employee. As Morgans were struck, they rolled off into a box under the press, counted, bagged and weighed. I can image working in the New Orleans or Philly minting offices in the summer with no AC. When there is a fingerprint on a heavily toned UNC Morgan I assume it was from a Mint employee handling the coin. Depending on severity and impact on eye appeal, might justify a point deduction, but in all cases is still mint state. JMHO
Comments
I’m sure that many women who read that won’t find it nearly as amazing as you do.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
No one "likes" fingerprints. Like bag marks, people accept them as a reality of collecting coins that have been owned and handled by non-coin collectors or by clumsy careless collectors. If anyone here truly likes fingerprints, send me your raw coins and I'll be happy to fingerprint them for you and I only charge $5 per coin plus return shipping.
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
I understand from most of the replies that fingerprints, especially on an otherwise white coin, are a big turnoff and therefore negatively affect value. Most of the examples given were on higher grade coins, MS63 and above. What about AU and low MS coins? Is the effect of a fingerprint on desirability and value going to be less?
Folks shouldn't discount that the fingerprint came from a Mint employee. As Morgans were struck, they rolled off into a box under the press, counted, bagged and weighed. I can image working in the New Orleans or Philly minting offices in the summer with no AC. When there is a fingerprint on a heavily toned UNC Morgan I assume it was from a Mint employee handling the coin. Depending on severity and impact on eye appeal, might justify a point deduction, but in all cases is still mint state. JMHO