How do you experts recommend removing a small/partial fingerprint from a gold proof? The coin's a 2012 so it hasn't been there long, if that matters. A quick dip in acetone, then carefully blow dry with filtered compressed low pressure air? Please help! Thank you.
What worked for some proofs I've had fingerprints on (not gold) is using the same cloth as for my eye glasses. I figured if it won't scratch glass, it won't scratch coins.
Not true, gold, silver and copper have a hardness of 2.5-3.5 depending on the alloy , whereas glass has a hardness of 6.5-7.5 generally, which is about 1,000X to 10,000 times harder than the coin metals. So a material might not scratch glass, but could scratch coin metal.. Jim
I tried to touch up a regular silver proof quarter with a cotton swab and a coin cleaner for silver coins. The swab scratched the surface, and I tried to be very careful. So, if you do try to remove the finger prints, you must only pat a cloth on the surface, DO RUB AT ANY TIME. Gook luck. The stuff I used was MS 70, that contains no type of acid.
Acetone baths only. Don't touch the face of the coin with anything. No need for compressed air. The acetone will dry in less than 5 seconds.
Your best bet is a soak in a good quality acetone.....NO RUBBING. If that doesn't work, it's probably best left alone or to the professionals at NCS.
That fingerprint is etched into the surface of the coin unless the 'print' only happened in the last few days.
Wash your hands really good and don't use any type of soap like Lava, you gotta use a gentle hand soap like SoftSoap, Suave, Dial etc. Get the coin in your clean hands and get it wet with just a splash of water. Take some mild dish soap and place two drops on each side of the coin. First do one side, then wash the other. Was the coin with your fingers. The only things that will touch the coin is your fingers, water and the dish soap. I use cold water, I bet it works.
If it's been more than a few days, it's probably too late already. And fret, I sure hope that smiley means you're joking.
Humm... So if one were wanting to get it slabbed, it would be a good idea to wait for a while? That's good info - thanks.
Uhhhh, well that kinda depends. Do you want a high grade or a lower grade ? Fingerprints detract from the grade. So getting it slabbed now, when the print is not visible ................. I think you get the idea.
I'm hoping the print is gone forever. I don't want it to be slabbed and then have it re-appear. Acetone would remove finger grease forever, I think? I think I'll wait a bit...
Yeah, it will. But finger grease is an acid and if it's left on the coin for any length of time it eats right into the metal. When you try and remove it with acetone it may look like it's gone. But over time it becomes visible again. You might be alright, you might not. Time will tell. But it's gold and you have that going for you - gold is more resistant.
