I was just sitting here pondering how much fingerprints affect coins. Say you put one fingerprint on an MS-65 coin. What would that do to its grade, or value? How about other grades of coins? I assume that the lower the grade the less the fingerprint would affect it. Just curious. Thanks.
I think one big question is: Where is the fingerprint located? Also maybe....how big is the print. If the print is near the rim it might not hurt as much as if the finerprint was right in the middle of the coin. I've seen coins with large fingerprints get downpriced quite a bit..... Speedy
It would seem to me that if the rpint was very distracting the appeal would lower the grade, Market Grade that is. A MS65 with a dark print across the object of the coin might bring the coin down to a 63, again depending on the loss of appeal. The big question is would you pay a MS63 price for a MS65 with a print, and still love the coin as much??? Just my opinion of course!!!
...but seriously, folks... Another good question is "Is there a safe way to remove a fingerprint and not damage the coin ?" Since the fingerprint is ON the surface but not OF the surface, I would think it's possible.
But there is the rub. Fingerprints are only "on" the surface for a very short time. After that fingerprints are "of" the surface. The acids in the oil on the skin actually eat into the metal of the coin, and once that happens you cannot remove them without removing metal.
Some time ago a moron on ebay listed a (can't remember which) Presidential Dollar for a decent premium because it had a fingerprint FROM THE MINT (yeah right). You know "who's fingerpint is this?' etc. yada yada. My question to him was how many famous mint employees are there? I recall us tearing this loser apart rather handily.
lol... if Fabio touched the coin, you actually have to pay the other person to give them the coin. It, is a good question though, coins and perception go hand in hand. An MS coin with a fingerprint is a no-no, but a fine coin with a fingerprint is a little more acceptable. Its one of those things like the beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder.
Speaking of crazy e-bay auctions and famous people prints. About a year ago I heard a story about a guy who was selling a peice of paper with his own handprint in ink on it, saying that he had met Jimmy Hendrix, and that he was therefore auctioning off a print of a hand that had shaken Jimmy Hendrix' hand. Someone actually bid alot of money on it. LOL
