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Fingerprints Why Do They Do It
1Mike1
Posts: 4,427 ✭✭✭✭✭
Checking out a Morgan this morning slabbed by PCGS. Has a nice strike not an outstanding coin but not terrible. Then, there it is, fingerprints on the obverse and reverse. Why do some people who handle coins act so ignorant when it comes to protecting the condition of collectible uncirculated coins? Not really looking for an answer, just had to rant a little.
"May the silver waves that bear you heavenward be filled with love’s whisperings"
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
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Maybe someone did it a long time ago. Heck, people used to clean coins a lot a long time ago.
God comes first in everything I do. I’m dedicated to serving Him with my whole life. Coin collecting is just a hobby—but even in that, I seek to honor Him. ✝️
I dislike most finger prints but some can be attractive. There is/was a member here that specifically collected fingerprint coins, some were quite stunning. It seems worse on proofs for sure.
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They were used for commerce. Anyone from the Mint to the bank to the original users of the coin would have handled the coin.
I had an encased GSA CC that had a clear thumb print once. Ugly as heck, dark black print on an otherwise all white coin.
bob
@1Mike1 It would be great if you'd modify your thread title to add (Fingerprints). That way, readers can decide whether they have something to contribute or determine if they wish to open the thread. Many thanks.
I hate fingerprints too although I have a couple of coin that don't have obnoxious versions.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I was looking at a National banknote that a dealer had in a showcase at a major Ft. Lauderdale coin show a few years ago. It was a 00000001A serial numbered bill. I really liked the note…a lot….but didn’t have the money at the time for it. As I was walking away he quickly pulled the note out of the showcase, removed it from its plastic holder and started waving it in my face telling me I really should buy it and what a great deal it was. He followed me about 20 feet continually waving it and putting his fingers all over it. I cringe to think of the prints/oil from his fingers that may eventually show up and ruin a crisp uncirculated note. I certainly would not buy from him after witnessing his carelessness and lackadaisical attitude of numismatic items.
Morgan’s were money. Do you use white gloves when you get your change at the newsstand?
Casual collector: Morgans & Peace Dollars & 20th Century Type Set. Successful BST transactions with ProofCollection, Morgan13, CoinFinder, CoinHunter4, Bretsan.
Probably long ago - they needed that money to eat. Or could have been bank clerks sorting them.
If they’re mild, I can somewhat tolerate them. Obviously, I would prefer them to not be there.
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I never said anything about this before.
Seems like it's the right time too tell all. Lets call it, The Flunky, in the monkey suite.
No company name will be given,
so not to cause any harm to the auction house's polite employee's.
But, he knows what he did. This very snooty kind of employee, grabbed a beautiful coin of mine out of my grasp, in front of many cameras and people and with a tight swipe or two, with his sweaty two fingers passing over the coin stated that the coin was plated and I had no business being there. (He never even looked at the coin)
I was calm and cool and had no polite answer other than "YOU DINGBAT" as I left the scene of the crime.
He got lucky, no finger print marks were revealed, on the coins original skin.
True Story.
No doubt the coin was plated and you had no business being there.
I believe the original post mentioned uncirculated coins. Getting change at a newsstand isnt uncirculated
I have told my favorite fingerprint story before, but why not?
The town I grew up in had a fair every year. There was a game where you roll a penny and whatever picture it lands on ; that's what you win. Center target was a 1964 silver Kennedy Half which gave you the option of taking the grand prize (stuffed bear) or the coin itself. Never any question in my mind whaich I prefered.
Sure enough I hit the center. The carny asked which bear I wanted. I said the coin. Within about 2 minutes everybody at the booth was berating me for not taking a bear. Then a friend of mine Dave D. said, "Everybody knows James is coin crazy. what would he want with a stuffed bear?" About a minute later everybody had switched sides and people were starting to yell at the carny.
The carny gave me this evil grin. Spit on his hand and took the coin out of the center spot. (Made sure he put his fat thumb on the obverse). Then pretty much threw the coin at me and said, "Choke on it." I caught that coin in mid-air. I think that was more impressive than rolling the penny to the center spot. Anyway, coin later developed a large fingerprint. james
Actually, that's not necessarily true. Numerous "uncirculated" coins were used in commerce and almost all were handled at the Mint and banks. "Uncirculated " is a state of preservation not literally a history.
If you get a 2025 coin in charge, send it to PCGS and it will probably MS65.
You got under his fingerprint.
I understand that and its true. I just didnt think the poster was referring to that. A lot of coins that are graded MS i feel have circulation wear but thats a topic for another day
MS61
MS62
MS63
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
It usually takes more than a couple gentle transactions to actually put any visible wear on a coin.