Milk spots on SAEs

stev32k

Does anyone know what causes them, and do they occur on some dates more than others? Maybe more importantly is there anything that can be done to prevent them?

I have several high grade SAEs and have not seen any milk spots, but some of the recent threads have me wondering if it's just a matter of time before they show up. I was planning to buy more maybe MS69 and MS 70, but now I don't know?

VAMs4U2BuyHere

David Hall has posted that PCGS has hired scientists and has been in contact with the mint to determine the cause. I imagine the results will be publicly posted when completed.

LanLord

I don't know if this applies to SAE milkspots, but I thought I recalled a post from Russ about using MS70 to dip 1964 PROOF Kennedys prior to sending them in for grading and having good success avoiding the formation of milkspots that way.

I don't know the chemistry of MS70 and why that would prevent milkspots on PROOF Kennedys, but sounds like at least something to consider.

RobJ

what am I missing here?
Do the milk spots appear on the Proofs in the mint box or just when they are slabbed?
Sorry..I am confused on this
RJ

ziggy29

<< <i>what am I missing here?
Do the milk spots appear on the Proofs in the mint box or just when they are slabbed?
Sorry..I am confused on this >>

That may be part of what the scientists are trying to figure out. If it's the mint box, PCGS may want to stop slabbing these coins unless they can find a workaround to the problem, or else they could be eating a lot of buybacks.

RobJ

Let me re- state that....
Do collectors have any spotted ones in their mint boxes. I was under the impression that maybe it was only after they were slabbed that the problem started. I have about 6 in mint boxes and they have no spots or milkyness to them.
RJ

CoinHusker

8 of my 20 1986-2005 PCGS MS69 SAE's have developed milk spots in the slabs.

FatMan

Posted for those who have never seen milk spots on SAE.

CoinFame

The Proof Statehood Quarters did the "cloud" in holders on some of mine. I've never seen that on any that weren't holdered.

Russ

<< <i>I don't know if this applies to SAE milkspots, but I thought I recalled a post from Russ about using MS70 to dip 1964 PROOF Kennedys prior to sending them in for grading and having good success avoiding the formation of milkspots that way. >>



I don't use MS70, but I do dip to remove hidden surface contaminants on every proof coin I submit. No dipped example has ever developed milk spots after grading. Plenty of undipped examples have.

Russ, NCNE

meos1

I have two complete sets in MS and Complete set in Proof. All proofs in mint packaging. So far no milk spots. MS collection, no milk spots to date. I could be lucky. I follow this series closly anyone got a SAE that is NOT slabbed and has milk spots?

Dan

fc

"milk spots" might be caused by moisture trapped in the pores of the base metal.
most people would polish them away gently on silver that is used in normal activities.
or
the silver should be left in the open air to dry.
pcgs slabs could stop that process.

this has to do with silver plating though.
researched via google.

i wonder if anyone will guess the cause before the "scientist" does.

also, did anyone examine the spot in more detail?
is it dry? greasy?

UncleWiggly

I got rid of all my SAEs because they looked like I had them out on the counter while I brushed my teeth.



Jerry

meos1

For all we know it could be caused by gamma ray bombardment. It is not specific to SAEs but perhaps there is a part of the process that is causing the contamination.

RGL

I have a raw 1986 proof SAE purchased directly from mint at release that has developed a big, fat ole milk spot over the years in upper right obverse field ...

LanLord

<< <i>

<< <i>I don't know if this applies to SAE milkspots, but I thought I recalled a post from Russ about using MS70 to dip 1964 PROOF Kennedys prior to sending them in for grading and having good success avoiding the formation of milkspots that way. >>



I don't use MS70, but I do dip to remove hidden surface contaminants on every proof coin I submit. No dipped example has ever developed milk spots after grading. Plenty of undipped examples have.

Russ, NCNE >>



Russ, sorry about the mis-quote (MS70), I was pretty sure I recalled some dip occuring that helped prevent the milkspotting problem.

stev32k

I have original SAEs in both proof and MS raw going back to 1986 and only one of them has developed milk spots. That is a 1998 proof. All the others look great - no spots or haze at all. None of them are in slabs so I wonder if the slabs themselves are causing or contributing to the spots?

ibzman350

Dang, it's been a while since I've looked at mine, I better have a look see.



Herb

CoinHusker

If anyone is interested, the years of my MS69 SAE's that have developed milk spots in the slab are:

1991
1995
1996
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003


The most recent years are the most discouraging to me for some reason.

stev32k

Have the milk spots shown up in any other slabs besides PCGS?

Bubblehead

OK.. For what it's worth... After reading about the SAE milk spot problem, I pulled my four sets of proof silver eagles from the safe. The wife and I looked at all of them.
I found (3) PR69DC gals, that exhibit "milk spots."
None of the older, blue label slabs, were affected.
The (3) gals that are spotted were certified within the past 12 months. The years are: 1991, 1998, and 2004.
The '98 is by far, the worst of the three.
The '04 is barely spotted, and I would not have noticed the spots, were I not looking closely.
I'm not gonna bother sending them down, tho. I guess I shud be happy that the 93, 94, and 95 gals are just fine.
I will set these (3) aside, and watch them to see if the spotting will worsen?
My 2c...

RobJ

Curious...is this problen showing up on other mint silver issues? (proofs, SHQ's etc)
Thank you
Rob