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 Replies: 13 / Views: 388 |
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Valued Member
United States
465 Posts |
I just won a 1921 DMPL raw dollar on an online auction. It appears to have a couple "milky" spots on it. I have used acetone a few times but never on a Proof Like coin. I assume it's safe but thought I better ask first.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5661 Posts |
Yes, should be perfectly safe, although it might not help milk spots.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10472 Posts |
Just make sure you give the coin a good rinse with distilled water after the acetone soak so not to leave any residue on the coin. To dry the coin it is best to use canned air like you would use for computers - don't want to take a chance damaging the fields of a Proof Like coin with a towel.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2213 Posts |
Congrats on the getting the coin. I assume it's genuine and the seller offers returns if you don't like it. Sometimes seller pics don't show what the coin actually looks like in hand. A seller may say a coin is DMPL or PL but a grading company may not think so. I tried acetone to remove milk spots on several coins, did not help. Obviously don't use anything abrasive like an eraser to remove the spots. Light scratches will look worse than the spots.
Edited by livingwater
05/01/2026 07:55 am
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Moderator
United States
54280 Posts |
Warning: Do not heed this advice!
Here is what Google AI says about removing milk spots from silver coins:
Removing milk spots (white spots) on silver coins is best done with a white rubber eraser, jeweler's polishing cloth, or mild ammonia. These spots are caused by surface contaminants from the refining process (borax), so they require gentle abrasion to remove, though this may leave tiny scratches, lowering the grade of numismatic coins.
Warning: Do not heed this advice!
Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here)See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) |
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Moderator
United States
187544 Posts |
Quote:
Just make sure you give the coin a good rinse with distilled water after the acetone soak so not to leave any residue on the coin. No! No! No!  Always use a flowing rinse of fresh acetone to remove any residue. The coin will air dry fast. No need to compressed air or distilled water. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5661 Posts |
 . A rinse in fresh acetone will leave no more residue than distilled water, and it will air dry in seconds. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2114 Posts |
Quote:
It appears to have a couple "milky" spots on it. Sorry, but Milk Spots are there for the life of the coin, no way of getting rid of them....  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
615 Posts |
If they are truly "milk spots," acetone will not remove them.. Acetone is effective for surface contaminants but milk spots are a part of the coin itself; most likely the result from the annealing process where the coin blanks/planchets are heated and then cooled in a "bath" and some contaminant is let on the blank. As such, they become part of the metal itself.
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Moderator
United States
187544 Posts |
I forgot to agree when I posted about acetone rinsing, but I agree. Milk spots are there for the duration.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10472 Posts |
I just don't like acetone fumes in my kitchen. That's why I rinse with distilled water.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2213 Posts |
I've dipped coins in acetone in the kitchen when the wife's away. When she's home, no way, I use the bench in the garage LOL.
Edited by livingwater
05/01/2026 3:12 pm
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Moderator
United States
187544 Posts |
Quote:
I just don't like acetone fumes in my kitchen. That's why I rinse with distilled water. Ah, yes. The fumes bother me, too. I always use it outdoors.  |
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Moderator
United States
94666 Posts |
Quote:
I just don't like acetone fumes in my kitchen acetone outside then  |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 388 |
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Posted 04/30/2026 11:40 pm
