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Milk spots. Opinions welcomed.
mt_msla
Posts: 815 ✭✭✭✭
I was browsing the very popular 225 enh unc set thread and the issue of spots was brought up. And it was agreed by several members that a new thread should be devoted to that topic.
So; fire away. Consider this the start I guess. (If it started earlier, I missed it.)
My opinion: TPG doesn't matter! They happen very often on 1964 proof Kennedy's. (moreso on AH variety I would even say)
Below is a photo of a coin in my possession, has never left it's original cellophane. And it's got a milk spot. ... IT'S NOT THE HOLDER ... IT'S THE COIN. I don't think it's the environment either. It may be the detergent used at the mint ... or impurities in the metal ... i don't know what. But it ain't PCGS's fault.
Insert witicism here. [ xxx ]
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Not raining on your parade, but if you search on "milk spots" (in the search box above, not on google), you'll get over 1000 hits.
It all boils down to "No resolution".
K thanks appreciate it @BackroadJunkie
Insert witicism here. [ xxx ]
Summary: milk spots bad.
Humidity affects spotting.
PCGS holders have more spotting.
PCGS will not cover spotting.
NASA research unconclusive.
Bad.
clad coins will not develop "milk spots."
I have some experience with 64 proof milk spots. Bought some, sold some, conserved some, kept some, holdered some.
They do not come off without leaving a mark, if they come off at all.
I have never experienced a milk spot forming on a post 1964 proof in the holder. Disclaimer - I do not do ASE or other silver after 1964, so my experience is limited.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Then I guess "dismes" are safe.
If you don't mind me asking, what do you use to conserve coins with this problem? I have a nice cameo accented hair Kennedy that has an unsightly spot on the JFK's cheek. Acetone and E-Z-Est aren't touching it.
I too have some experience. Many milk spots are here to stay and can only be lightened. Use of the wrong chemicals will make them worse. Try MS-70 first. Spots in the design can often be removed w/o a trace. Sorry, but this and many conservation methods are proprietary. Perhaps our host has some professionals on staff that can help you.
PS Your coin is a "piece-of-cake!"
I should have been more specific with respect to conservation. When NGC started their conservation service, I sent several coins to them and they did the work. So I don't really know what they used. I do know that anything I tried did not work.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
I have a quantity of AH Kennedy's and have no milk spots on them.... As far as I know, once developed, there really is no successful removal. Years ago, Russ recommended an acetone bath of the coin (ASE's) as soon as received (mint issues, non slabbed).... I did that when I used to buy ASE's... and still do it if I buy any silver mint products. Seems to work, no milk spots. In all the years that this has been discussed on this forum, I have not seen anyone successfully remove milk spots. At one time, I believe a TPG was offering a reward for such a method...never heard of anyone collecting it. Cheers, RickO
ricko ...PCGS was the TPG that offered the $50k reward.