The cause?

percyb

I am wondering what causes milky stains on some silver coins.
I'm perplexed.

percyb

LOL!!

I asked AI ChatGPT and culled this answer.

Milky stains on silver coins are typically caused by a condition known as milk spots or milk toning. Milk spots are small, milky white or cloudy discolorations that can develop on the surface of silver coins. They are most commonly found on modern bullion coins, such as silver American Eagles or silver Maple Leafs.

The exact cause of milk spots is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to various environmental factors and the composition of the coin's surface. One theory suggests that the milk spots are caused by impurities or contaminants present in the planchet (the blank metal disk that is stamped into a coin) before it is struck. These impurities can react with the silver surface, resulting in the formation of milky or cloudy areas.

Another theory suggests that milk spots can develop due to the presence of residual cleaning chemicals or residues from the minting process. These residues can interact with the silver surface and cause discoloration over time.

It's important to note that milk spots do not affect the metal content or the value of the silver coin. They are purely cosmetic and do not indicate any damage or deterioration of the coin. Some collectors even consider milk spots to be an interesting characteristic that adds uniqueness to a coin.

gumby1234

Milk spots do affect the value if the coin is worth more than just its silver content. I dont know any collectors that think positively about milk spots.

DrBuster

Did it scrape that info from one of the threads here....that's like verbatim from what's been discussed here forever.

JBK

Let's all point our fans north and blow it back into Canada.

PerryHall

@percyb said:

It's important to note that milk spots do not affect the metal content or the value of the silver coin. They are purely cosmetic and do not indicate any damage or deterioration of the coin. Some collectors even consider milk spots to be an interesting characteristic that adds uniqueness to a coin.

This is total nonsense. LOL.

JW77

...and the issue with ChatGPT exposed; you get a mixture of accurate and nonsensical information at the same time. so always need to confirm to cull out the bad data.

percyb

@DrBuster said:
Did it scrape that info from one of the threads here....that's like verbatim from what's been discussed here forever.

Can’t say for sure. Could be as there are varying views on the subject.

percyb

@PerryHall said:

@percyb said:

It's important to note that milk spots do not affect the metal content or the value of the silver coin. They are purely cosmetic and do not indicate any damage or deterioration of the coin. Some collectors even consider milk spots to be an interesting characteristic that adds uniqueness to a coin.

This is total nonsense. LOL.

It came from AI so it … well.

MFeld

Come on, you’ve been around more then long enough to know how to make your thread titles much less vague and to let forum members know the subject matter.

vplite99

A better answer would have been "I don't know" rather than adding: "Some collectors even consider milk spots to be an interesting characteristic that adds uniqueness to a coin."

treybenedict

@percyb said:
LOL!!

I asked AI ChatGPT and culled this answer.

Milky stains on silver coins are typically caused by a condition known as milk spots or milk toning. Milk spots are small, milky white or cloudy discolorations that can develop on the surface of silver coins. They are most commonly found on modern bullion coins, such as silver American Eagles or silver Maple Leafs.

The exact cause of milk spots is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to various environmental factors and the composition of the coin's surface. One theory suggests that the milk spots are caused by impurities or contaminants present in the planchet (the blank metal disk that is stamped into a coin) before it is struck. These impurities can react with the silver surface, resulting in the formation of milky or cloudy areas.

Another theory suggests that milk spots can develop due to the presence of residual cleaning chemicals or residues from the minting process. These residues can interact with the silver surface and cause discoloration over time.

It's important to note that milk spots do not affect the metal content or the value of the silver coin. They are purely cosmetic and do not indicate any damage or deterioration of the coin. Some collectors even consider milk spots to be an interesting characteristic that adds uniqueness to a coin.

Hahaha. We should sell GPT our Milk Spotted Coins.

percyb

@MFeld said:
Come on, you’ve been around more then long enough to know how to make your thread titles much less vague and to let forum members know the subject matter.

Thanks. I thought it rather concise and alluring.

ricko

Milk spots are the bane of collectors. If someone found a way to remove them without affecting the coin's surface, they could make a profitable business doing it. Cheers, RickO

BuffaloIronTail

Solution:

Do not eat Milky Way candy bars while playing with coins.

Pete

Manifest_Destiny

Personally, I think it has to do with planchet cleaning solution residue.

percyb

@ricko said:
Milk spots are the bane of collectors. If someone found a way to remove them without affecting the coin's surface, they could make a profitable business doing it. Cheers, RickO

I am wondering if the milk spots are caused by poor mint pressing for example, why the stains aren't considered in the
same vain as an error or dd or other rarity or toning. I've never seen a milky planchet coin though they are
said to be quite common.

ricko

@percyb ... Usually, the milk spots develop over time, often months after the coins are purchased from the Mint. Coins appear clean and clear when received. Years ago, a former forum member (Russ), a friend of mine back then in Seattle... Told me to dip the coins in acetone as soon as I received them. I did that, and my coins did not develop milk spots. That being said, not all silver coins develop milk spots... so, either the dip worked, or I was lucky and got coins that would not have developed them anyway. Cheers, RickO

percyb

@ricko said:
@percyb ... Usually, the milk spots develop over time, often months after the coins are purchased from the Mint. Coins appear clean and clear when received. Years ago, a former forum member (Russ), a friend of mine back then in Seattle... Told me to dip the coins in acetone as soon as I received them. I did that, and my coins did not develop milk spots. That being said, not all silver coins develop milk spots... so, either the dip worked, or I was lucky and got coins that would not have developed them anyway. Cheers, RickO

Thanks!
I’m surprised that the stains aren’t collectible types.

Is it ever the case that milky spots fade away?

ricko

@percyb ... No, they do not fade away.... And if someone ever figures out how to remove them, it would be worth selling. Cheers, RickO

DrBuster

I got a tube of Maples fresh from a box a decade or so ago, looks like someone dumped a gallon of 1/2 & 1/2 on them. Just silver melt. Spots are garbage, nobody is 'collecting' them as a visual perk.