I have a coin that I recieved from someone. Here is a link to the coin I have https://www.mdm.de/20-euro-silber-gedenkmuenze-2016-ernst-litfass . Since it was transported in a small paper bag, it got a bit scratched up. The scratches are tiny, but it also has lots of fingerprints on it. Should I wipe it down with a microfiber cloth? I do not intend to sell the coin, but I would like to keep it in the best condition possible. So far I am keeping it in the paper bag it came in. Should I leave the fingerprints on it, or is wiping it down not a big deal?
No, no, no. Do not wipe it. Go to a hardware store and get some 100% acetone and give it a quick soak. If that doesn't take away the fingerprints, then maybe another product can help. But nothing that requires rubbing or polishing. For a more "nuclear" option, a quick dip in EZest and then a rinse in distilled water will be your friend. But don't ever rub anything across the surface of a coin, especially a proof one. EDITED to clarify the use of EZest as a final option. I agree the old version of the post could lead to the misuse of a potentially harmful product (if used incorrectly) and damage to the coin.
Hello crc4450, Welcome to CoinTalk. Hold-off on doing anything to your new coin. Please post a photo of what you have & let some of the experts at CoinTalk provide their advice. stldanceartist is correct that you should not wipe a coin's obverse or reverse surfaces especially if the coin is proof manufacture (like the example in your link).
Pretty coin. Do post some photos and welcome to the forum. Depending on when those fingerprints were deposited to the surface of the coin, they may be impossible to remove. Let's hope they were recent. An acetone bath wouldn't hurt anything but wait and get some more advice on the use of EZest.
Here, speed is not your friend. This is an ideal time to learn about "conservation". There are things to be done, but any wiping is NOT among them. It's time to think chemistry, not mechanics. Design: Yeah, it has that stark Teutonic thing working for it. I see it was offered in both Stempelglanz (uncirculated) and Polierte Platte (proof). The proof has the mirrored fields.
Please tell me they didn't send you a Proof coin in a paper envelope. Either mintage method, if anyone ever sent me a NIFC strike in direct contact with paper, I would not only return it instantly but also file a complaint with whatever board had oversight of their business practices. If it were a Proof, I'd file the complaint before returning the coin. That is the height of careless stupidity, and a firm I would not do business with. Acetone will likely remove the fingerprints. It has probably not been long enough for them to become chemically permanent. The scratches cannot be treated without further damaging the coin. They devalued your purchase forever with their careless handling, and you should be furious.
He said he received it from "someone", I don't believe it came that way from the company whose ad he posted. more likely it was given to him by a non-collector that didn't know any better on how to package it.
