I recently acquired a set of Lincolns 1933-1991 in a Dansco album, as I've mentioned elsewhere. Now I am taking everything out and putting them in Quadrum 2x2's. I started with the proofs. Now that I am looking closely at them, it seems the original collector has mashed them into the holes with a big fat greasy thumb. So far I have heard two types of comments about fingerprints. Either they are permanently branded into the surface, or the coin was sent for grading and the TPG said "we saw a fingerprint and took it off for you". Which is it? Is there anything I can do to restore these half-dozen proofs back to their intended glory? (And yes, I know these are cheap enough to just replace them. But, well, now they're mine and I would like to fix them if I can.)
Wow...if the fingerprints are not "set", you could try acetone and/or xylene. If that is no go, MS-70 would possibly emulsify the fingerprints and allow it to be rinsed off with lots of water. Not sure how MS-70 is on copper @Insider?
It works. But, should not remove the prints and will turn the coin pinkish. Suggestion to the OP, since this Proof cent is virtually ruined swish it in acetone and then drop it (face up) into a dish of MS-70. DO NOT RUB THE coin at all with anything. Check the coin every half hour and let us know what happens. They may lighten a bit. If nothing happens after a day (except the entire coin changes color) wash it in hot water and detergent, hot hair dryer to finish and SPEND IT, leave it on a table in the playground, so someone can have the joy of finding it. Or just give it to a kid.
Ordering a replacement now... Then I can start the experiments. Then I see who i can make a gift of it. @Insider I like your approach - to see if any good can come out this situation.
Well, this is surprising! I followed the advice given by you esteemed posters. I've got acetone and xylene, but not any commercial cleaner. So I basically tried @BadThad's regimen of distilled water, then acetone, then xylene, and kept alternating the coin between them. Whether those were fingerprints or not, there is no sign of them any more. (@Insider, let me know if I need more emojis.) Whatever this stuff was, I suspect this coin has been in the Dansco for about 25 years, so it is really hard to believe it came off.
Lol! Isn't one of these enough for anyone? The only difference is it now looks better, and my photography is pretty uneven.
That's EXACTLY what conservation is all about. I'd say you got lucky though, I would have guessed they etched the surface based on the picture.
I'll take a detail photo of the date area tomorrow. It is still a mirror surface. Frankly, I am as surprised as anyone.
Wow, I too am surprised by how well that was restored. For every coin that survived, I've seen just as many that were left with corrosion. You got lucky! It is also possible that the fingerprints were relatively recent, and hadn't had time to set in yet.
