Will milk spots lower a grade?

DucatDan

I've got some silver eagles and commemoratives that are in great shape, but have milk spots. Will they prompt PCGS to assign them a lower grade than they would otherwise receive?

Also, a while back PCGS said they were going to get a scientist to look into the cause of milk spots. Did anything come of this?

Don't bother to post your own ideas on what causes them. I've heard them all. I'm not saying you aren't correct, mind you, just that I've heard them all.

Good hunting to all of you!

jcping

Generally speaking, it will be graded lower since the spots are considered negative appealing.

MikeInFL

Yes, my feeling is that unless they are already at a grade where spotting is acceptable (MS 64 for instance), then milk spots will detract from the grade...Mike.

Russ

Yes, but the degree to which they lower the grade will depend on number, size and location. A large prominent spot in a prime focal area will hurt the grade far more than a small spot tucked away in the lettering or at the periphery. I once had a 1964 proof Kennedy grade PR69CAM even with a visible spot at the top of the reverse. Of course, the coin was really a DCAM that should have graded PR68.

Russ, NCNE

BECOKA

I know from experience and an e-mail from David Hall that PCGS will not grade a Silver Eagle Higher than (Can't remember the exact grade but) something like MS/PR 66 if there are spots. Most of the time if you have a holdered coin with spots graded PR69 the spots formed after being slabbed. I am wittness to this as I had 25 2004 PR69 Silver Eagles graded and 5 months later they all had spots. No longer sellable.

I should note that I had 100 2005 PR69 Silver Eagles slabed and after 9 months there are no spots. So you never know when it may happen.

TorinoCobra71

In this age of Market Grading, it will reduce the coins grade, time for a quick DIP!

TorinoCobra71

CoinHusker

<< <i> So you never know when it may happen. >>




That's the very reason I won't be slabbing any more SAE's! It's like playing russian roulette.

Nocerino18

Yes it will. You still might be able to get a 69 but no 70