MS or AU? (Hypothetical)

A Hypothetical question here: Would you consider a brand new coin (very little to no marks in the fields no wear) with a huge fingerprint on it an MS coin or AU because someone obviously handled it. I guess the point of this question is when grading do only surface marks count? Or does luster play a big role in this? I know luster play a big role in grading high grade coins, especially coppers, but would a fingerprint make it jump from what would be an MS to an AU?

 

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I have a MS-63 Peace dollar with a fingerprint on the obverse off liberty's chin.

 

I have actually seen some MS-slabbed Morgans with fingerprints on them.

Chris

 

I guess that sums it up already lol, did the fingerprint turn black like it would on copper? Or is it just a light oily outline?

 

What am I missing here. PCGS says;

and

Unless that fingerprint gives "wear on the high points", it has nothing to do with making a coin AU. Notice that is wear, not a mark and points, not a single point

 

[/QUOTE]Notice that is wear, not a mark and points, not a single point[/QUOTE]

Ok that is what was confusing me, thanks!

 

A mint state coin is defined as having no evidence of wear, not that it was never handled.

 

Ok because when I started to think about the words about uncirculated, I thought that that would imply that the coin was also never touched, glad I got it cleared up.

 

Sometimes fingerprints just add to the flavor.

 

Nice! I'm getting a whole new perspective on fingerprints!

 

And new collectors always ask this....

Yes, you can pull mint state coins from circulation.

 

Thanks for mentioning that! I have several rolls of BU 1960's Canadian Cents that have beautiful black fingerprints imprinted on each and every shiny coin. The original searcher must have been eating fried chicken while examining the rolls.

 

No it turned black.

 

I would consider the coin damaged. But thats just me.

 

I myself dont like fingerprints. I had a few old coins with them & they were of no value but they were a eyesore to me due to the prints. But these were pretty bad like someone handled them after eating KFC.

 

Well I do realize that, I certainly wouldn't but an MS coin with a fingerprint on it for the same price as a MS coin without a fingerprint, certainly makes sense too.

 

Yea me too; personally I'm not a huge fan of fingerprints at all, but that being said I've also never seen a coin with a fingerprint on it that has made it tone beautifully either... if that's even possible.

 

Depends on the coin. I have a MS65 Walker that I am not fond of, largely because of a mark on the obverse that I think is a small portion of a fingerprint. But every time I pick up the coin, that's where my eye is drawn.

On the other hand, if I had a 1794 dollar that had a fingerprint, I might feel quite differently.