How did a fingerprint get INSIDE mint packaging?

So I've got this silver Ike dollar in original Mint packaging. However, it appears to have Bigfoot's fingerprint on the face.

Certainly looks like a fingerprint, but you've got to have MASSIVE hands to do that.

How could this have passed QC? Or is it due to the fact that mint plastic from that time eats coins for breakfast...

 

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The coin was obviously touched by a mint employee prior to packaging. Perhaps during a routine intermittent inspection.

The thing with the coins is that fingerprints are not always visible when they occur. They show up after years of being sealed in that cello.

To be honest, I was expecting a 1971-S as these are plagued with ugly white prints and smears. Almost as if they were packaged in a sweat shop.

 

Makes for a nice unusual novelty.

 

Bigfoot has no fingerprints..he never leaves any behind as evidence! But he does have a problem with his big feet

 

Wow! That's one big paw print. I'd normally say send that print off to AFIS, and let's get this guy, but he's probably retired by now......

 

You should be thankful that the Mint employee didn't pick his nose, first.

Chris

 

By the way.. It looks to me like your Ike is slightly MAD. I have seen plenty of 1972 Ike's with Misaligned Die's but never a 1974.

 

Looks more like a big toe print...lol.

 

Send it to the FBI, get down to the bottom of this. There is no excuse for damaging such a fine piece, blasphemy.

 

I found a finger print on my NZ mint set as well such a shame!

 

edit- wrong thread (first time that's happened)

 

I've got several of these silver Ikes and without exception, they all have some sort of nasty white junk on the obverse only. The reverse is always fine. But it's pretty gross, and sure ruins any value

 

How do I tell if it's MAD? I don't know a thing about varieties/errors...

 

Either that or they were hiring chimps to do the packaging...

 

Great question! Hope you don't mind I snipped your picture a bit to explain..
You see on the bottom left of the coin, that's a Double Rim or False Rim. Then on the top right it seems thinner. That's a slight Misaligned Die. Compare yours to the 3rd picture of a 1972 MAD -

 

And here is one I am planning to purchase - 1972 Certified by NGC

 

Ha, @sonlarson posted an image of a USSR proof (!) set with fingerprints the other day ... https://www.cointalk.com/threads/world-coins-your-newest-acquisition.165399/page-308#post-2211718

 

How do we know he didn't?

 

Mint workers don't give a hoot.
It's just like a factory assembly line.

 

Thanks for the explanation! So I guess it is worth a smidge more than scrap due to the error! I've never been one for error scouting... Though I'll definitely keep a keen eye out in the future for odd looking coins and give the expert (you ) a call