Milky Spots on silver: pics included

[Filthy Keynes]

What do you guys make of these milky spots? I tried silver polish, and the ol' aluminum, baking soda, boiling water tricks but nothing works. Just wondering if any of you have these milky spots? They came in a monster box from the RCM.

I got these coins from the ScotiaBank vault on King Street in Toronto, the same vault made infamous by Harvey Organ a few months ago.

[Filthy Keynes]

The Philharmonics I got from Kitco in Montreal.

[Mouse]

Looks like a dirty Frenchmen had his way with them. Call the RCM and ask for replacements?

[Filthy Keynes]

Looks like a dirty Frenchmen had his way with them. Call the RCM and ask for replacements?


I meant to say that I got it in a RCM monster box, not directly from the mint. I got them from ScotiaBank.

[Joe King]

I don't think there's anything you can do about them. They're called "milk spots" and are well known by all, includiung the mint.
The up side is that they don't affect the silver, as the coins are merely bullion.
I must say that I'm sorry to see how exceptionally bad your particular milk spots look.
But hey, look at the bright side. If silver really does go to da' moon, you won't care about those spots one bit, and will wish you'd bought more. :D


See this thread. (http://gold-silver.us/forum/numismatics/spots-on-my-silver-maple-leafs/)

[milehi]

Even my Maples in RCM blisters have spots.

[Filthy Keynes]

But there are "spots" and there are "STAIN/SMEARS/SPLATS". Some of mine are completely covered!

[Joe King]

Yep. They sure are.

Try calling the mint. See what they say.

[Uncle Salty]

C'est dommage. >:(

[ximmy]

This is horrible... I have never had a coin with this cancer on it... I read the supplied link...

"This is the Mint's official position: The coins are bullion coins. They are not collector coins. They are sold as one ounce of silver. The Mint knows that there is a problem. The problem has existed since 1988, when the SML coin was first introduced. The Mint says that there is nothing that they can do about the problem."

Is it some form of adverse additive in the melting process??? So there is no way to remove it, it will simply come back to the surface??? come on guys/collectors, has anyone found a way to remove/prevent this... so sad... :(

[1970 silver art]

It seems like the silver Maple leafs and the Philharmonics are the only ones that suffer from the milk spots on its silver bullion coins. Both of these mints must be using the same process and using and like ximmy said, it is probably some additive that both mints are using. When I saw silver Maples and Philharmonics silver coins in the past, the texture and appearance look very similar. I have never seen "milk spots" on a SAE, a Kookaburra, or a silver Lunar coin.

[EE_]

Those aren't milky spots...they are milkies with silver spots.
I'd be dumping these on a dealer for any profit.

[willie pete]

Those aren't milky spots...they are milkies with silver spots.
I'd be dumping these on a dealer for any profit.


Yea, I've seen milk spots before on CMLs and even SAEs, but never that severe

[sirgonzo420]

Filthy Keynes, I'm really sorry to hear about your milk spots.

If you want to get rid of them, I can dispose of them for you, and I'll even waive my usual fee.

I'm just trying to help out.

;D

[Silver Rocket Bitches!]

Since Maples are 99.99% silver, that must mean they are .01% milk.

:P

[still afloat]

I get a very similar surface coating when I pickle sterling silver.
The acid removes the copper and leaves a pure silver surface coating which is white in color and has almost a powder look to it.
That coating in jewelry work also helps protect the piece when doing additional work as it keeps the oxidation from the copper from forming on the surface.When done with all soldering / heating the pure coat is then polished off .
I'm not sure why it would be appearing on the coins unless someone or the mint has used a acid / pickle in the finishing process or to try to remove some surface discoloration and did not get it removed .
Another possibility , I believe that non archive quality paper contains acid residue which could possibly be causing the problem if the coins were stored in a area or manner that trapped the acid fumes from paper boxes or wrappers or a list of the boxes contents on a piece of paper thats stored with the coins.
Just a thought.

[Filthy Keynes]

If I only knew what the chemical was I might be able to experiment with it.

In one regard it doesn't matter that the silver looks like crap as long as it's got silver in it, but on the other hand... it's a shame that the beauty of the silver is marred.

[still afloat]

The pickle I use is sodium bisulphate also known as PH down which can be picked up at swimming pool / spa supply places or even walmart if pools are still in season where you are.
use a glass container that can withstand heat .I use a crock pot so it can heat the mix when ever I need it.ZYou would disolve about a tablespoon and a half of ph down in about 1 cup of hot / not boiling water .Pickle will work cold but hot is better and faster.
Some people still use sulfuric acid as a pickle as well as Alum or citric acid or even vinegar and salt.

[horseshoe3]

If you could get the spots to cover up the old bag, that would be an improvement.

[mamboni]

Those spots are ugly, bullion or not. I have never seen those on SAEs or Silver Phils. The third photo posted by the OP shows fingerprints where the oil seems to have faded the spots. Rather then acid washing the coins which is no doubt etching the metal, why not try lightly cleaning the coins with machine or gear oil and a very soft cloth. What have you got to lose?

[Book]

Mint workers fondle the coins all the time...lol.

:oo-->

[still afloat]

Rather then acid washing the coins which is no doubt etching the metal, why not try lightly cleaning the coins with machine or gear oil and a very soft cloth. What have you got to lose?


Don't get me wrong , I was not suggesting using the pickle / acid to clean the coin was just a suggestion of how or what may have caused the problem to begin with.
Him asking about the acid type makes me think he was interested in trying to duplicate the white spots on another silver round to see if acid released from paper or the box used could have caused the discoloration .

[DuaneLuk]

If you have a PM acid testing kit use the red acid to test silver. Put one drop on the coin and wait 90 seconds then wipe it off. See if that works.

[Liquid]

I think the camera accentuates the milky parts. I have some like this as well. The ones at the top of the rolls tend to get that ring around them of milkyness. It really doesn't look that bad, but I've often wondered about resale as well.

I figure I bought them as bullion, so not to worry about it. I was hoping it was the start of toning that would set in eventually, time will tell.

Keynes, think of these as the silver with the fog setting in...that's what it's like, the fog is creeping in on your silver. You have sea-going silver! Very salty, I should say.

[DuaneLuk]

bump

[Filthy Keynes]

Regardless of the lighting, here is no way these coins can be passed off as "collector's items" (not that that's what my intention was).

[Gaillo]

Try this:
Take one of the worst stained coins. Put in a 1-gallon ziplock bag. Hard-boil an egg, place still-hot egg in the ziplock away from the coin. Seal bag, then break and mash the egg with the palm of your hand. Holding the coin through the bag, stand the coin up on its edge so the gasses can flow around the coin... Balance it on edge using the top and bottom of the ziplock to "wedge" it upright so it will stay on-edge. Wait until the coin is well toned. A toned coin should have better resale value than a milked one!

[Light]

Try sandpaper.

...just kidding.

[Filthy Keynes]

Try this:
Take one of the worst stained coins. Put in a 1-gallon ziplock bag. Hard-boil an egg, place still-hot egg in the ziplock away from the coin. Seal bag, then break and mash the egg with the palm of your hand. Holding the coin through the bag, stand the coin up on its edge so the gasses can flow around the coin... Balance it on edge using the top and bottom of the ziplock to "wedge" it upright so it will stay on-edge. Wait until the coin is well toned. A toned coin should have better resale value than a milked one!


Good idea, but there are a few hundred of them. :)

[sirgonzo420]

Try this:
Take one of the worst stained coins. Put in a 1-gallon ziplock bag. Hard-boil an egg, place still-hot egg in the ziplock away from the coin. Seal bag, then break and mash the egg with the palm of your hand. Holding the coin through the bag, stand the coin up on its edge so the gasses can flow around the coin... Balance it on edge using the top and bottom of the ziplock to "wedge" it upright so it will stay on-edge. Wait until the coin is well toned. A toned coin should have better resale value than a milked one!


Good idea, but there are a few hundred of them. :)


I'll do 'em for ya if'n ya give me a cut.

;D

[ximmy]

What about Tarn-X???...

[Filthy Keynes]

What about Tarn-X???...


I tried it. Didn't do anything. I tried boiling hydrogen peroxide too. Well I guess I'm resigned to live with them - at least they are pure silver, that's what counts.

[Liquid]

Well I guess I'm resigned to live with them - at least they are pure silver, that's what counts.


Screw it man, don't do a damn thing. If anything, the milkness proves they are silver. Nobody is going to counterfit a milky maple leaf. ;)

Be thankful you've got them in hand, ready for that silver rocket that's going to take off.

[still afloat]

You could try Bright Dipping one of the coins .
The silver coin would be attached to a wire and quickly dipped into a solution of 50% cold water and 50% nitric acid. After a dip of several seconds, the coin is rinsed and the acid neutralized with soda. (A respirator and rubber gloves are recommended for this process.)

[gunDriller]

You could try Bright Dipping one of the coins .
The silver coin would be attached to a wire and quickly dipped into a solution of 50% cold water and 50% nitric acid. After a dip of several seconds, the coin is rinsed and the acid neutralized with soda. (A respirator and rubber gloves are recommended for this process.)


in addition to the boiling hydrogen peroxide & bright dipping - what about ammonia ?

[still afloat]

Here is a site with a few methods you might experiment with on a coin or two to see if it helps.
http://metaldetectingworld.com/cleaning_coin_p16_silver.shtml