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.
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.
Finger prints don't prevent a straight grade but they can impact eye appeal and thus lower the market value of the coin.
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.
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!
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.
Wonder if it would do better than MS70, or if MS70 is better oriented for stiff like the 1934 quarter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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.
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.