Can you safely remove a fingerprint?

cosmos66 · December 1, 2003 7:09AM

I got a nice 1880-S morgan in the mail today that would probably go MS 65 except for the fact that it has a nice fingerprint on the obverse. Would you:

A. Submit it for grading as is and hope for the best
B. Try to remove the fingerprint before submitting
C. Not bother with submitting it and just stick it in an album or something.

Russ · December 1, 2003 7:18AM

If the print is fresh, it's easy to remove with a quick dip. If it's been on there a long time, it's very difficult to remove without ruining the luster of the coin. The longer a print is on a coin, the more it etches in to the surface.

Russ, NCNE

coinpage · December 1, 2003 9:00AM

<< <i>If it's been on there a long time, >>

How long is long?

paigowjohnny · December 1, 2003 9:07AM

D. Send it back and get another one. You'll never be happy with it...dipping will probably hurt it...and with greysheet in MS 65 at somewhere around $85, it's probably not worth NCS

jdimmick · December 1, 2003 9:08AM

Paul,

I bought a PCGS-65 Red 1909-s vdb once at a show. It had a very small partial print on the reverse, but wasnt bad. The coin otherwise was super nice. But after keepin it for about a year, I noticed that the print got darker and darker and more noticable. I decided to blow it out, because it could not be removed without potential damage to the surface, and risk potential of not re-holdering.

I fully disclosed it to the buyer and fortunately due to the price increase on this date when this occured, I was able to re-coup my money.

This was of course copper, and not a silver coin, but I would not recommend buying a fingerprinted coins unless it can be safely removed, which gets back to your original question, which I dont think can unless it just recently occured and on silver or gold!!

jim

grip · December 1, 2003 9:30AM

If the finger print is from Elvis,It could be worth a fortune

.Al

Outhaul · December 1, 2003 9:32AM

Brillo pad...and if that doesn't work, emery cloth. Then highly buff with NOXON.

cosmos66 · December 1, 2003 9:45AM

<< <i>Brillo pad...and if that doesn't work, emery cloth. Then highly buff with NOXON.

>>

I am glad I know you are just kidding. Can you imagine the fallout if someone actually TRIED that stuff?

wingedliberty · December 1, 2003 9:50AM

Coincare (tm) applied with a 100% cotton small terry cloth. Effectiveness: 95%-100%

greghansen · December 1, 2003 12:34PM

'Skip' Fazzari's article on fingerprints is worth a quick read:

Skip Fazzari's NCS article on fingerprints

MacCrimmon · December 1, 2003 12:46PM

I didn't know Skip was at NCS. I took an authentication and grading course he taught at Adelphi Univ. in 1981....time flies, eh?

Newmismatist · December 1, 2003 12:50PM

<< <i>I got a nice 1880-S morgan in the mail today that would probably go MS 65 except for the fact that it has a nice fingerprint on the obverse. Would you:

A. Submit it for grading as is and hope for the best
B. Try to remove the fingerprint before submitting
C. Not bother with submitting it and just stick it in an album or something. >>

<< <i>Can you safely remove a fingerprint >>

Only with great difficulty and Only if you're really lucky! - If its not fugly, try option A - if its really bad, option C. If it basically has no value, then try B and be prepared to own a coin that is a "learning" experience.

Can you safely remove a fingerprint?

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