| Author |
 Replies: 16 / Views: 14,553 |
|
New Member
United States
35 Posts |
Have a 2010 ASE with many spots on the obverse and Reverse. With a magnifier there are 6 spots between T and Y, 5 between E and R, 2 on the I and 3 at the L on LIBERTY. There are 3 spots on Reverse. The spots are about 1 mm and much smaller in size. My 62 year old eyes with $10 1.5x reading glasses can see half of the 2 dozen spots. The Silver Eagle is in a holder PCGS MS-70 2010. Question #1... What is the grade now of the coin wih 2 dozen spots? Does it lose the 70 grade Question #2... What are these light milky white spots composed of and caused by? Food for thought. |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
787 Posts |
The milky white spots are left over from the process used to make the bullion coins. They are also often present on Canadian Maple Leafs.
As far as grading, I am not exactly sure if it effects the grading process. Personally, I would not pay as much for a piece with spots as I would for one without them. This is, of course, purely a personal preference.
There are ways to remove the spots of which a common one is using a soft pencil eraser. I would only use such a method on pieces that are not of a high numismatic value though seeing how fine scratches can be left. For other methods, simply Google "milk spots" and something like "American Eagles" or "Canadian Maple Leafs."
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I believe a 70 will be downgraded for milk spots and if I am not mistaken there are people that have gotten replacements from PCGS for this before on ASE's and other coins that develop them. The milk spots is usually caused by the rinsing process they use on the planchet sat the mint, over time some of them start to get these white spots that look like the color of milk so people started calling them milk spots. I never heard of anyone being able to remove them before myself. This isn't an option for a graded coin graded as Perfect anyway but I am sure it would be covered under PCGS's grade guarantee as you would never be able to sell it at perfect prices. I think PCGS charges a fee for spot review but if they deem it effects the grade of the coin they will refund this fee. I am not 100% sure about this but its what I think I read about this |
|
New Member
 United States
35 Posts |
Most helpful replies gentlemen!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3640 Posts |
You mean to say that these spots can develop after the coin was struck, graded and sealed ? Or are they present on the planchet all along and just slipped by somehow.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
787 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3640 Posts |
Good to know. I think the ammonia would be the safest bet as far as not scratching the surface. Now, how to get nicks out of silver rounds after stacking them into a mountain  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
787 Posts |
Yes, I think the ammonia would be the most logical way as well to avoid scratches.
I did try the jewelry wipes and they did work quite well. This being said, my coin was a normal
Canadian Maple Leaf with no grading or the like.
|
|
New Member
United States
35 Posts |
I don't know how that video will help me
clean white spots from sealed MS70 and PF70 NGC and PCGS graded coins.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
Quote:
You mean to say that these spots can develop after the coin was struck, graded and sealed ? Yes, they can develop the spots in the holder after they have been slabbed even if no spots were present at the time they were graded |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
787 Posts |
Stvsy,
You are correct that the video will not help you clean the coins in the holders. I somehow missed that part of your original posting.
I was only trying to offer information about the milk spots and general ways known to clean them.
As for the value of the coins, yes, I have read that milk spots can effect the premium on even graded coins.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
I have gone through and checked all my Aussie silver 1oz and NCLT coins and haven't found a single trace of milk spots on any of them. Is this just a problem with US and Canadian silver  |
|
Pillar of the Community
2224 Posts |
1. I never intentionally buy or trade for a coin with spots 2. I understand the spots can appears after time 3. I'll wait for some of our infamous chemists to chime in and 4. Best of luck to those of you who try this, hope it works for ya.  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
Quote:
Is this just a problem with US and Canadian silver I have heard of some Chinese Proof coins having Milk Spots also. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
My best advice- if you are buying numismatic-quality NCLT bullion, purchase it several years after release. Since the spots are the result of planchet rinse contamination which is present at the time of striking, a coin will develop the spots within the first few years if they are going to develop at all. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to satisfactorily remove milk spots from bullion with a significant numismatic premium without impairing the coin. If it is just spot value bullion, there are some aggressive methods that will remove the spots but also alter the surfaces a bit.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3640 Posts |
Just for the heck of it I tried the eraser on an ASE. It did remove the spots but even after rinsing, and the ammonia trip, it still was left with a hazy look. Kind of like that brushed satin.  Then I took a 24" 550,000 R.P.M. buffer to it with some Mothers mag wheel polish. Took it outside later. Bad idea. It was full sun and now my corneas are on the back of my head.  Just kiddin on the second part. |
| |
Replies: 16 / Views: 14,553 |
Posted 06/20/2012 02:58 am
