Extra! Extra! The big bnb news!!!!! 3 legger on its way!

Nope, that sucker's etched into the coin by now.....

 

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If it is a fingerprint...no. The problem is, the fingerprint is made by oils from our hands which have some slightly acidic properties. Once the fingerprint has been on the coin for a short time, it will etch the metal and it's there forever. That said, it's pretty subtle and the coin is circulated...so it doesn't affect the value much IMHO.

 

Really I wouldn't worry to much about it if it is a fingerprint, I wouldn't consider it a really distracting mark. Acetone can sometimes remove a fingerprint, but that's if you catch it early, I doubt acetone would help in this case. So I would say leave it as is.

How noticeable is it in hand? Because from the pics it's barely visible.

 

Not the end of the world noticeable, but still, it depresses me a little bit. Not a big enough reason to send the coin back though because the coin has a lot of positives especially for an AU 58.

 

Look at it this way BNB. We'll call AFIS and get the guy who did this....

 

I agree it's still a nice coin, and there's also a chance it isn't a fingerprint, it could also be toning, or just the color of the planchet (if the metal didn't mix properly). So I would pay to much attention to it, besides the best part is on the reverse .

 

Thanks raider. You lifted my spirits a little.

 

Ken, what is AFIS?

 

I'm not Ken, but I speak for him . (lol, sorry Ken). AFIS is the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (I just had to do a 10 page paper on it :desk.

 

I don't know for sure, but it seems like you are a little disappointed with the coin. Whatever it is I buy (unless it's super cheap), my rule is if I can't display it proudly or am not 100% satisfied, I return it. There's no reason to have a coin you don't like in your collection. If you're not 100% happy with it, you shouldn't feel like you're stuck with it.

 

Thanks Mike....

 

I'll look again in the morning, but I sure don't see a fingerprint.

Speedy

 

Look at the pic on the NGC website.

 

I didn't mean by the above part that the actual fingerprint was still there. I suspect the fingerprint ( if it really was) was removed but the organic acids and salts from it initiated the blue toning specks that seem to make up the lines BNB is talking about. That is why I think it is so faint. IMO.

Happy Holidays
Jim
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Can you post it again - I have searched and searched and can't find where it was posted over here. I'm having issues with my NGC login, and I can't get in to view the pic.....I can't push the "forgot my password" because I don't have access to that email address anymore.

Oh well - I guess I will call NGC next week.

Speedy

 

dirty cotton gloves can also leave marks that resemble fingerprints

 

I'm happy with the coin, I just can't believe a finger print has to be on it.

 

I'm still not convinced that it is a fingerprint - I don't see it on the hair and it doesn't make "cents" that it should only be on the face, and behind the head...

Speedy

 

I finally see it!

Honestly, Jay maybe you can look at it this way. The coin has a fingerprint, granted, but the rest of the coin looks really good for a 3-leg (they were struck with aging dies) and you seem to like it. It's not a problem coin, and it is a solid AU-58 that you will have no problem selling when you decide. I will add though that if you desire a more perfect coin, then stop buying AUs. Especially those graded AU by a TPG unless you are willing to settle for an AU coin.

as an aside - Speedy, it is a fingerprint and it's possible to have one on only one side. I have a 1909 VDB NGC MS-65 Red and it has a fingerprint on the reverse only. Darn shame too.