What kind of gunk is on this coin?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8361236702&fromMakeTrack=true

It looks like someone put their finger in tar, and then put it on the coin. That's probably not what it is, and I was just wondering what you all thought it was?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Hi,
It is obvious as well that the coin is not in uncirculated condition. It was seriously cleaned. The fingerprint being so bad is probably, although I can't know for sure, the result of the oils in the fingerprint reacting harshly to the cleaning agent.
That coin is a mess.
Have Fun,
Bill

 

That's what I was thinking. I wasn't planning to buy it, thankfully, but was just curious to what happened. That coin really is a mess.

 

Including shipping the four bidders have only pushed it $21 above its value.

 

For sure that is a finger print and they are almost impossible to get off. I've had some that I tried to clean off with all kinds of solvents but never really worked to well. Oils and Acids in finger prints.