A Collector’s Guide: Milk Spotting

Occasionally found on the coin’s surface, this article will delve into this defect, explaining how it can affect the coin and how it can be prevented. 

• What Causes Milk Spotting?
• How to Prevent Milk Spotting
• Protect Your Investment from Milk Spotting

What Causes Milk Spotting?

Milk spotting is a term to describe a white, milky-coloured blemish that features on the surface of a coin. This flaw can be linked to the annealing process, which prevents the precious metal from becoming too brittle for striking. Typically, milk spotting doesn’t devalue your coin as it is predominantly desired for its precious metal count. However, some grade companies do evaluate the coin on its ‘eye appeal’, and whether a coin features milk marks, so please be aware that these can be more noticeable on plain surfaces than a frosted option. Overall, the coin’s evaluation can be dictated by the coin’s milk spotting, although coin-grading companies do understand that this is a common flaw and will take it into account for grade lenience.

How to Prevent Milk Spotting

After buying your prized possession, you will want to preserve its mint condition. But after storing it for six months, you may start to notice milk spots. Cleaning your precious metals can be a temperamental process as some ways of cleaning can cause scratches and abrasion on the prized investment. If you do experience the common flaw of milk spotting, The Royal Mint’s experts have suggested some ways to help reduce its visibility.

•    To reduce the risk of surface scratches and abrasions, we suggest using anti-tarnishing polishing cloths or a microfibre cloth.

•    For lighter spots, we suggest you use a clean, soft white rubber on a clean coin.

•    For more drastic spots, a silver dip or chemical solvent may be necessary to remove the marks effectively. However, we recommend that you check with a professional before doing so.

Protect Your Investment from Milk Spotting

Whatever the precious metal, storing them at home can be a big worry unless stored and insured correctly. Storing your precious metals investment at home can carry a massive burden; however, this can be managed with The Royal Mint’s on-site storage facility. The Vault® provides you with a secure, state-of-the-art storage solution, specifically made to withstand environmental factors towards reducing the risk of milk spots, as well as being at one of the most secure sites within the United Kingdom, complete with a double lock and an insurance cover for up to £50,000. Visit our dedicated secure storage page to find out more.

Protect Your Precious Metal Investment

Store and protect your precious metal investment with absolute peace of mind with the help and advice of our precious metals experts at The Royal Mint. 

SHOP COIN CARE INVEST WITH US