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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,382 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
HELLO all I was just putting a coin away and noticed my recently purchased PCGS 2023 Silver Britannia now has what appears to be a big fingerprint discoloring the silver!! Now, I spent money I really shouldn't have on this graded coin because it was the last of the QEII portrait Britannias... I am NOT happy about this previously invisible flaw. My question is, is there any recourse whatsoever for something like this? Either from APMEX, who I purchased it from in February, or PCGS, who put the fingerprint on it? (I thought they wore gloves!!) I'd appreciate any help from more experienced folks here  PS - I'll try to take a photo showing the discoloration, but it may take a while as the slab is still sealed in an APMEX baggie, etc. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
781 Posts |
For a minute I thought perhaps the discoloring is NOT a fingerprint, but something totally natural and what looks like fingerprint ridges are actually the background pattern. But then I noticed that pattern is also on the smooth nose of QEII! You really can't see it much in these pics, but here they are anyway... perhaps someone can tell by the color if it is fingerprinty or standard milkyness.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Whatever that is, it's not good.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2781 Posts |
Quote:
My question is, is there any recourse whatsoever for something like this? Maybe reach out to PCGS and ask them directly  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2280 Posts |
Looks like standard operating procedure for anyone that grades bullion  You realize when you know how to think, it empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
Edited by NumismaticsFTW
08/14/2023 11:38 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
That looks like a large milk spot to me, not a fingerprint (pattern of the fields kind of give it that effect).
Not much that can be done there to my knowledge. Milk spots can develop over time on a silver bullion and nothing that can be guaranteed not to develop by either the seller or the grader. Unfortunately it's there to stay
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
I did see a couple of mentions of milking on 2023 coins online this morning. The background pattern does indeed look like fingerprint ridges, but you can see it on smooth areas as well. I need to take a closer look
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
5391 Posts |
Milk spots and with all due respect .. you lose . PCGS will hardly look after this . Royal Mint issue! A lot of World bullion Silver Coins , and US Peace dollars are Notorious for this effect . Due to improper washing of the blanks prior to the striking process. Really tough but that is the reality of the situation . |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
The more I think about it, the more I think you are all correct... lactose smudge. I feel like a bit of a dope now!
Pacificoin - thanks for not being too hard on me! ;-) I wonder... if it is a common issue with this particular coin (year), in time, will the spots really effect value? I know there is one year enhanced-reverse proof Silver Eagle that always seems to have shmoo on them, even when slabbed.
Seems silly that any mint, in modern times with all of the technology at our disposal, can't prep their blanks correctly!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
See the "ridges" on the Queen's nose? That is what made me think fingerprint...   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
I'm still of the milk spot opinion even with the last set of images. They come in all shapes and sizes.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
675 Posts |
Looks like a fingerprint to me.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,382 |
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Posted 08/14/2023 6:53 pm
