The Worst... Fingerprints On Proofs

Send me to the gallows..... Years ago when I assembled my Ike collection, I was not the careful numismatist that I am now. A recent thread about Ike's caused me to take out my old Ike collection that I hadn't viewed in years. I was aghast at the fingerprints I left on two of my proof Ike's. Now I feel like I need to turn in my CT card for such an egregious err. I have never done the acetone dips or anything. Are the fingerprints forever or can I correct my youthful indiscretion?

 

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You have learned your lesson and done your penance.
You are forgiven.
Go in peace, my son.

 

Acetone will remove the contamination but it still leaves the evidence. A dip might do it but finger prints can etch the surface of the coin.

 

I had to tell you... This one made me laugh coffee out my nose..... Too danged funny.

 

No, a staple scratch is the worst. I remember seeing a beautiful Seated Liberty Proof Quarter with a staple scratch once. I almost cried.

 

If the prints were just starting to show a quick dip would probably fix it. But if it's been years it's probably too late.

 

At least the fingerprints prove that they're yours. Before TPG bar codes there were fingerprints.

 

Glass half full principle. I like that.

 

Just in case, when dipping the coin is suggested it is meant in Acetone.

 

Not the Nail Polish remover kind

 

Live and learn. At least its not the most expensive coin in your collection.

 

Your ownership will be indelibly etched in the provenance.

 

I had a similar thing happen 30+ years ago, only it was not me but a friend that got his paw print on it. Statue of Liberty coin that my friend thought should come out of its plastic case. Lesson learned to not show my coins to friends who knew nothing of coin collecting.

 

Stick with the flow and use a #2 pencil eraser...

 

I would be sent to the gallows if folks knew how many cents I polished up with an eraser as a kid.

 

You and me both brother...

 

Just out of curiosity, what does a an erased cent look like?

 

I totally agree!!! Hahahaha.

 

Bright pink.....To a youngsters eyes they were right pretty though.