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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;iPen, post: 2433053, member: 69760&quot;]I&#039;ve read from all over that after a few days or so of a fingerprint&#039;s initial appearance on a coin, it becomes permanent. Specifically, the oils eventually etch into the coin and leave a permanent mark that can&#039;t be removed with acetone or any other non-abrasive (&quot;proper&quot;) cleaning method. I take it that conservation services wouldn&#039;t be able to remove fingerprints either.</p><p><br /></p><p>If the fingerprints do become a part of the coin&#039;s permanent feature and alter the physical base of the coin (as opposed to say dirt atop the coin), then isn&#039;t that considered physical damage? Whereas, tarnish, toning, etc. are also physical changes, but they&#039;re seen as &quot;naturally occurring&quot; and thus expected, as opposed to unwarranted damages to the coin such as scratches, polished coins, etc.</p><p><br /></p><p>So, why aren&#039;t coins given a Details grade with &quot;Fingerprints&quot; on TPG labels? What if you take it to the extreme, crack open a slabbed PRooF-70 coin, and imprint your thumbprints on both the obverse and reverse of the coin. All else constant, will the TPGs net grade it or still give it a PRooF-70 grade?</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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