14/05/2024

Silver Milk Spots – what are they and how will they affect the value of silver?

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If you’ve ever owned silver then you should know about the white marks that form on the surface. Will these have an impact on the value of the silver you have? If you want to sell silver bullion Brisbane, you need to inspect them. And find ways of dealing with milk spots.

Milk spots resemble dried-up milk

They are white and vary in size. They can appear on the surfaces of bullion coins or proof finished coins, however they are more frequently seen on silver bullion coins that are 999 pure.

Where do these milk spots come from?

Chemicals used during the annealing as well as the minting processes can cause milk spots. However, the interaction of silver with other impurities could also have an effect on the formation of milk spots.

How to avoid milk stains

Unfortunately, most precious metal investors do not have reliable ways of avoiding milk stains on their silver.

Handling and storage go a long way in keeping coins and bars from getting tarnished prematurely. Keeping your silver stored in a high-quality container that restricts the metal’s exposure to the elements is one way of ensuring that milk spots don’t show up.

Milk spots have been a huge problem so much so that engineers at the famous Royal Canadian Mint were prompted to look at the cause of the issue. They came with a solution that effectively addressed the issue of milk spots. Now all silver maple leaf coins minted from 2018 onwards are coated with this special anti-milk spot substance, which has been effective in lowering the appearance of milk spots.

The Perth Mint has also been proactive. They have used tactics like cleaning of filter more regularly, replacing air-conditioning filters and just making sure that there are fewer things to react with the precious metal.

Is the value of silver affected by milk spots?

Silver bullion coins are created for investment purposes. When you sell silver bullion Brisbane remember that the value of silver is determined by their weight not so much by how the look. An ounce of silver remains an ounce of silver regardless of how it looks.  Those customers who buy silver bullion coins for their looks will be concerned by milk spots.  However, there are silver buyers who are drawn to certain coins because of their numismatic appeal.

Milk spots can be easily removed by cleaning but when you handle coins this way you run the risk of scratching and damaging them. So, avoid washing them. Since milk spots have no real impact on the resale value of silver bullion coin, you should leave the spots as they are that will not have an impact when you sell silver bullion Brisbane.

For years, milk spots have been a major concern for bullion investors and dealers worldwide. Now that certain mints are working to address the issue, there is reason for optimism that these unattractive stains may one day be eliminated.

While this is happening, the vast majority of knowledgeable buyers and collectors of silver bullion accept milk spots as a regular occurrence and, like they already do with tarnishing, as additional evidence of the silver’s validity.  Perhaps milk stains will one day be viewed by collectors in the same way that a deep colored patina on an antique silver coin is today?