Back in January I posted THIS MESSAGE regarding PCGS not grading ASE's MS70 due to the wash used on them. I've noticed that the silver commemorative coins graded by PCGS are currently receiving MS70 designations. I wonder if the mint does NOT use a chemical wash on commeratives due to their lower silver content and copper mix? Anyone know why the descripancy? Has anyone noted spots on the commemorative silver yet?
I've never had any spots on silver commemoratives. Just ASE's. I wish the mint would just get their act together and stop doing whatever they're doing that causes milkspots.
All coins will spot given enough time. They are metal and metal is reactive. The silver eagles are not graded MS70 since they spot very easily due to their .999 fineness. The modern commemoratives are .900 fineness and more resistant to spotting. Also, the commems are more likely to be found perfect considering the extra care taken in minting and packaging them. Therefore, their value is much lower than an MS70 silver eagle. If the silver eagles were selling for $125 each like many of the commems, PCGS would likely take the risk and grade them MS70 as their liability is small. However, MS70 silver eagles are currently $10K coins.I can understand PCGS not waiting to take that risk considering they only get about $5 for grading one.
