Milking the facts: Why silver coins get spots and how to handle them while remaining Bullish!

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I am regularly asked about milk spots on silver coins. What are they? Do they affect the value of my coin? Should I try and remove them? This article aims to provide all the answers.

How does milk spotting actually get on to silver coins?

Milk spots can appear at any time after a coin has been minted—sometimes days, sometimes years later. The issue actually originates during the minting process, specifically when the coin is still a flat, circular disk known as a blank or planchet.

During production, these blanks are heated and cooled in a process called annealing to prevent the silver from becoming too brittle. The crucial moment occurs before annealing, during the cleaning and degreasing phase using solvents. Occasionally, some solvents are not fully removed before the blanks are heated, leading to imperfections imprinted into the silver. While the newly minted coin may initially look flawless, the residual solvent remains undetected and gradually reveals itself as milk spots over time.

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Blame Canada... Do some mints suffer more than others??

Milk spots are a common issue that can affect all modern bullion silver coins and even bars. It's impossible to predict which silver will be affected. Even coins sealed in capsules can develop milk spots unexpectedly in the future.

The Royal Canadian Mint, recognising this issue, as they were one of the biggest culprits and developed a proprietary technology known as “MINTSHIELD” to reduce milk spots on their silver maple leaf coins. This technology has been in use since 2018, and the results have been very promising, significantly reducing the occurrence of milk spots.

Does the value of my silver coin suffer due to milk spots?

One of many of my AUSTRIAN silver Philharmonics showing heavy milk-spotting

Fortunately, the value of bullion coins is not significantly impacted by milk spots. Bullion dealers generally view silver as silver, regardless of any surface imperfections. An ounce of silver maintains its value as an ounce of silver.

However, perfect coins do tend to fetch slightly higher premiums and are more attractive to collectors than tarnished ones. Therefore, we recommend taking steps to protect your coins through careful handling and storage. Using airtight containers and handling coins with gloves can greatly help in preserving their pristine condition.

Should you try to remove milk spots?

While it might be tempting to try and remove milk spots, it's often best to leave them as they are. Attempting to clean or polish your coins can potentially cause more harm than good, leading to scratches or further imperfections. It's generally advisable to accept milk spots as a natural occurrence in bullion silver coins and focus on proper storage and handling to prevent further issues. Milk spots, while a common and sometimes frustrating occurrence, do not drastically affect the intrinsic value of your silver coins. By understanding their origin and taking preventive measures, you can ensure that your silver collection remains valuable and attractive over time.

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