Catching up: ASEs and white spots

Weg · May 12, 2013 4:53AM

The last I heard was that a Acetone bath may prevent milk spots on Prf ASEs. Even if it does work it would not have helped for the 2011 sets since the TPGs wanted them unopened, but for others is the Acetone bath proven to help? I do not remember reading or hearing if it is known what causes the milk spots.

ricko · May 12, 2013 7:29AM

The cause has been debated for years..... the acetone bath... when received, has, to my knowledge, shown to prevent milkspots. Russ was the first to offer this and subsequent reports have supported it. I have not seen any reports that state ASE's that were bathed in acetone upon receipt, later developed milkspots. Cheers, RickO

LindeDad · May 12, 2013 8:02AM

I don't think PCGS ever gave anyone the $50,000 reward for a provable cure or way to prevent them from happening that they offered at one time.

morgansforever · May 12, 2013 8:37AM

<<The cause has been debated for years.>>

Just did a search using the word "milk", to date 140 threads on the topic

CoinMaster1229 · May 12, 2013 8:43AM

If you were to give a new silver Eagle a quick dip, will PCGS likely reject grading it as Cleaned?

LindeDad · May 12, 2013 9:24AM

<< If you were to give a new silver Eagle a quick dip, will PCGS likely reject grading it as Cleaned? >>

If they did about half the coins they grade would end up being Code 92.

Weg · May 12, 2013 9:29AM

I should hope not, I know NGC does not have a problem with it, as it should not.
Acetone does not have any affect on gold or silver; Acetone may remove from the coin the body oil from your new finger print.

Weg · May 12, 2013 10:23AM

Remember, we're talking about a dip in acitone, nothing like Ezest.

I had hoped there was a solid consensus on preventing them.

CoinMaster1229 · May 12, 2013 11:38AM

thanks!

messydesk · May 12, 2013 11:50AM

No sure-fire way to prevent them that I can remember seeing. I recall seeing that if a particular ASE was going to spot, it was going to spot, as it had to do with planchet preparation. If there were a way to prevent or cure these, it would probably be posted by PCGS in special guidance for submitting these.

Weg · May 12, 2013 1:13PM

So it sounds like an Acitone dip is not a common practice to help prevent the milk.

Once my 2013W sets come I wonder how long I'll look at the boxes and rehash the decision?

BAJJERFAN · May 12, 2013 2:23PM

<< Remember, we're talking about a dip in acitone, nothing like Ezest.

I had hoped there was a solid consensus on preventing them. >>

The best way to prevent them right now is to dip them in EZest BEFORE they become visible. It won't be possible to dip them for submissions that are required to be in the mint sealed shipping boxes. I do not think that acetone will do anything to prevent them. You might try looking at some of them under halogen light or halogen flashlight in a dark/darkened room. It was said here some time back that if they are there but not yet visible that you can see them with the halogen lighting.

ricko · May 12, 2013 11:55PM

I have many, many, ASE's, both proof and mint state.... all have had acetone dips (except for those purchased slabbed) and none, not one, has developed milkspots. I do not claim this as proof, but for me, it works. Cheers, RickO

19Lyds · May 13, 2013 4:44AM

<< I don't think PCGS ever gave anyone the $50,000 reward for a provable cure or way to prevent them from happening that they offered at one time. >>

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the $50,000 reward for a method of "removing" the milk spots with out damaging the coin?

19Lyds · May 13, 2013 4:49AM

<< If you were to give a new silver Eagle a quick dip, will PCGS likely reject grading it as Cleaned? >>

In a word.......No. Even PCGS dips coins to conserve them.

All this business about dipping being bad is relative to the coin which is the basis behind the restoration service which PCGS offers. Not all coins are good candidates for a quick dip but all Silver Eagles can benefit from such an action if done properly.

19Lyds · May 13, 2013 4:51AM

<< I should hope not, I know NGC does not have a problem with it, as it should not.
Acetone does not have any affect on gold or silver; Acetone may remove from the coin the body oil from your new finger print. >>

As far as I know, Acetone has no effect on whether or not a Silver Eagle or any coin for that matter will develop milk spots.

Milk spots plague all 90% and higher silver coins produced from the late 50's to date. Bad or improper rinsing at the US Mint (or planchet manufacturer) during planchet preparation appears to be the culprit. A quick dip in E-Z-Est can minimize the problem.

19Lyds · May 13, 2013 4:54AM

<< So it sounds like an Acitone dip is not a common practice to help prevent the milk.

Once my 2013W sets come I wonder how long I'll look at the boxes and rehash the decision? >>

Rehash WHAT decision?

19Lyds · May 13, 2013 4:55AM

<< I have many, many, ASE's, both proof and mint state.... all have had acetone dips (except for those purchased slabbed) and none, not one, has developed milkspots. I do not claim this as proof, but for me, it works. Cheers, RickO >>

I think you just got lucky.

How about an experiment?

Acetone bath half and then report back with the results in a year or so.

LindeDad · May 13, 2013 5:00AM

<< 

<< I don't think PCGS ever gave anyone the $50,000 reward for a provable cure or way to prevent them from happening that they offered at one time. >>

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the $50,000 reward for a method of "removing" the milk spots with out damaging the coin? >>

I thought they worded it broadly but not sure and I can't get the search function to work anymore on this site.

BAJJERFAN · May 13, 2013 5:07AM

<< 

<< I don't think PCGS ever gave anyone the $50,000 reward for a provable cure or way to prevent them from happening that they offered at one time. >>

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the $50,000 reward for a method of "removing" the milk spots with out damaging the coin? >>

This. The onus of preventing them is on the U. S. mint. I have suggested to both HRH and DW that any coin grading 70 be dipped in EZest as a precaution. Whether they actually followed it is anyone's guess. Spotting doesn't affect the grades of 69s or lower, or so it is said. The reward was for removing the spots and that the coin still be gradable at the same or higher grade. Basically, one shouldn't be able to tell that the spots were ever there.

ricko · May 13, 2013 5:08AM

<< Acetone bath half and then report back with the results in a year or so >>

I would do that..... but have no new ones.... If I do procure new ASE's I will do as you suggest.

Cheers, RickO

BAJJERFAN · May 13, 2013 6:15AM

<< 

<< So it sounds like an Acitone dip is not a common practice to help prevent the milk.

Once my 2013W sets come I wonder how long I'll look at the boxes and rehash the decision? >>

Rehash WHAT decision? >>

I'd assume to open them and/or submit them.

Banemorth · May 13, 2013 6:25AM

I opened and acetone bathed my 25th Anniversary set. It was worth it to me. Doubly so since my Reverse Proof came back graded 70. Nice to know it won't turn on me.

19Lyds · May 13, 2013 8:27AM

<< I opened and acetone bathed my 25th Anniversary set. It was worth it to me. Doubly so since my Reverse Proof came back graded 70. Nice to know it won't turn on me.

>>

I've collected these since 1986 on their release day.

While going through my "stash" around 2003-2004, I noticed that everu stinkin one of the 1993 coins had milk spots. Every ONE!

Given the fact that 1993 is a low mintage year, I was a little pissed. But, I since replaced and then sold off my stash. I only keep my Dansco active now.

I firmly believe that some years over other years are more prone to Milk Spotting. Unfortunately, unless proactive action is taken when they are received, its too late once you finally notice the milk spots. For this reason coupled with this Sealed Mint Box Submissions business, I gave up chasing the First Strike Silver Eagles. It's just too risky.

Weg · May 13, 2013 9:26AM

With every one of the 1993 spotting, I'd lean to that view too.

Zrider · May 13, 2013 12:09PM

I had some 25th Anniversary RP and S Eagles develop spots.. I sent them back to our host , and they came back spot free. ...... $25.00

ricko · May 14, 2013 12:30AM

<< I had some 25th Anniversary RP and S Eagles develop spots.. I sent them back to our host , and they came back spot free. ...... $25.00 >>

Wow...that would indicate our host can remove milk spots.... I have never heard this before....Anyone else know of this happening??

Cheers, RickO

BAJJERFAN · May 14, 2013 12:59AM

<< 

<< I had some 25th Anniversary RP and S Eagles develop spots.. I sent them back to our host , and they came back spot free. ...... $25.00 >>

Wow...that would indicate our host can remove milk spots.... I have never heard this before....Anyone else know of this happening??

Cheers, RickO >>

Perhaps the coins were replaced. I think it's likely that the spots can be removed from some coins, but the success rate is not high.

lcoopie · May 14, 2013 1:07AM

I believe that they can be removed, if found promptly

whether they return or not??????

57loaded · May 14, 2013 1:55AM

I have use a product called MS70 followed buy a rinse in distilled water, then acetone. I've vacuum sealed stuff FWIW, that seems to work so far for silver that hasn't been "doped" before slabbing.

Had good luck removing spots from mirrors in proof silver using MS70 as well.

Catching up: ASEs and white spots

Comments

Leave a Comment