Hi. I have a uncirculated mint set that has an error coin, Sacagawea dollar. It is missing the W (half of the W) and also appears to have roller marks on the back and front. I ask because grading services will take it out of original packaging Thank you for any advice.
Without pictures it is difficult to tell for sure. That being said, what you describe does not sound like it would be worth the $$ spent.
Those look like fingerprints IMO. The "W" is just a partial grease filled die. Not worth anything more than face.
if it's in it's original packaging how can it be a fingerprint ? don't/shouldn't the mint packaging people use gloves back then or automated? @BisonBurro What year is it? is there a full image of the (a) front and (b) back and (c) the packaging it's in? (always provide FULL images of the front and back) ... just curious as I don't know much about Sacs.
I've seen mint sealed cello wrapped uncirculated sets and proof coins sealed in mint packing with a fingerprint. Sad but it happens.
We are assuming this is in the original Mint packaging. It could have been assembled by a third party and put into some other type of holder or packaging. We need full photos of the coin and packaging. Looks like a fingerprint to me.
also, for comparison. post # 64 for example of mint packaging => https://www.cointalk.com/threads/fingerprints-on-coins.343246/
I'm sure they use gloves when packaging proofs, but I suspect they DON'T for the mint sets (after all these are "just" business strikes) and I would not be surprised to see them moving or shifting coins around barehanded.
I was also on fingerprint. Roller marks would be more symmetrical. As for grading IMO most coins don't require it as the expense is too high relative to the value of the coin.
