Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;medoraman, post: 5193623, member: 26302&quot;]All coin collectors should study the minting process. It makes your coins more interesting, and answers a bunch of questions. When a coin is minted, the amount of force required to strike it, (even on ancient coins before machinery), literally melts the surface of the metal for a brief timeframe. This is what we call luster. Given that the metal would literally be melted when struck, it would be impossible for something like fingerprints, (impressions left by the oil on your fingers), to remain after striking. Most likely the oil was burned off when struck. </p><p><br /></p><p>Now, if the fingerprint was somehow embedded in the planchet prior to striking, then that could be possible, (though it would have led to a burned finger to whomever touched the planchet while still molten). Given it would hurt A LOT, I would doubt it.</p><p><br /></p><p>Good question OP.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in