Would this straight-grade?

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by The Half Dime, Jan 21, 2025.

  1. The Half Dime

    The Half Dime Arrows!

    I got this 1934 quarter the other day, and it appears to be uncirculated, or AU-58 at the very least.

    The question is: with all the fingerprints on the coin, would it straight grade? I don't think it would but I'd like to hear your thoughts. 20250121_205722.jpg 20250121_205727.jpg
     
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  3. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    I have owned many straight graded coins with severe fingerprints, and most were graded mint state. I see no reason why they would details grade that coin.
     
    Pickin and Grinin, Dynoking and ddddd like this.
  4. ddddd

    ddddd Member

    Finger prints don't prevent a straight grade but they can impact eye appeal and thus lower the market value of the coin.
     
    tommyc03 likes this.
  5. The Half Dime

    The Half Dime Arrows!

    Really? That's oddly satisfying to hear.

    What grade, since it may straight grade, would it be?

    I honestly was unsure about it. The prints on that 1934 are quite severe, which is why I didn't know if it would details grade.

    I'm glad to hear that, though. ;)
     
    ddddd and capthank like this.
  6. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    I see room for improvement in its look. Maybe try a dip in 100% Acetone?
     
    rte likes this.
  7. The Half Dime

    The Half Dime Arrows!

    I might try it. I think you can get Acetone at Walmart, but the only question is if it would harm it's surface because it's a silver coin.

    If I do decide to conserve it, (knowing me I'd screw it up) I would post before and after pics of it. Maybe this could be a really pretty coin afterwards!
     
    SensibleSal66 likes this.
  8. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    I would look at some old threads about this stuff. Just google " Acetone on coins" and there are many CT links here.
    I have used it on "dug" Copper coins experimenting and there was a slight difference in appearance.
     
  9. The Half Dime

    The Half Dime Arrows!

    Wonder if it would do better than MS70, or if MS70 is better oriented for stiff like the 1934 quarter.
     
    SensibleSal66 likes this.
  10. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    Leave it alone, it has originality.
     
  11. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    Once again, check out some of the online threads about using it. Looks like it's safe for anything but copper coins.
    Remember. This would be for experimental purposes. So, don't blow a bunch of money on this.
     
  12. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    No, it doesn't hurt the coin but will remove the years of skin that adds to the tones and originality of a contemporary coin, I don't see anything that needs to be removed.
     
  13. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    Acetone won't hurt that coin, but it also won't help it at all. That fingerprint is both toning and part of the surface. If you used anything else, such as a dip like ms70, you're going to strip the surface and leave a white coin. The amount of toning, it may have a dull surface remaining.

    I'd leave it as is.
     
    ddddd likes this.
  14. bikergeek

    bikergeek Well-Known Member

    I'm in 100% agreement with P&G here. It's an interesting and attractive original coin right now. Plus, why grade it at all? (Maybe you're doing a registry and need it slabbed?) The market value of the coin after grading may not even reach the grading cost. I do like the early Washingtons...1934 has a light, medium, and heavy motto. When I was building that set I wanted all three.
    Washington Quarter Light Medium Heavy Motto.jpg
     
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  15. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    I used to have 2 of the 3, I was missing the heavy motto.
     
  16. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Leave that coin alone as it’s original. Anything you do may ruin it’s finish. The fingerprints are on the severe side to me so I wouldn’t have it graded.
     
  17. The Half Dime

    The Half Dime Arrows!

    Oh, I wasn't thinking about professional grading. Even with conservation it wouldn't be worth enough to grade professionally, but I could always grade it myself and sell it.

    Currently it's about a MS-61.
     
  18. bikergeek

    bikergeek Well-Known Member

    Hey, I've got a cool idea... find a friend in law enforcement who can run the print on that. See if you can name the person who left that massive print! (Note - not all people who are printed are criminals, and that includes arrestees who are not convicted as well as applicants for sensitive gov't jobs and the like... so I'm not casting aspersions!)
     
  19. The Half Dime

    The Half Dime Arrows!

    That..... sounds like a weirdly awesome idea! I'm unsure how I could prove something as to who touched it, but it could've been by anyone. If I remember, I may try it, that is if the cops around here will do it.
     
  20. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    They might grade the coin, probably at a low Mint State level, but why spend the money on it? It's a situation where the slab would not add enough value, if any, to justify the expense.
     
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