Hello everyone, I started collecting coins in 2016 primarily new pf70 silver eagles, gold eagles, and gold buffalos. I quickly realized multiple 2016, 2017 pf70 silver eagles graded by NGC developed Milk spots and since have stopped buying silver coins out of frustration. Now looking at some coins I purchased my 2017 NGC PF70 1oz Gold eagle appears to have a small what appears to be a milk spot. Unfortunately do not have any magnification right now to look closer but to my eye it is not something in the holder. Is this common or possible? My Buffalos are fine but given the different purity level to an eagle not sure if it’s possible. All info is appreciated.
Can you post pictures please? The only spots I'm personally familiar with on Gold coins is usually a red spot where the metal didn't mix properly and some copper came to the surface and oxidized. @ldhair
I agree, post pics. There's a lot of things that people "think" are milk spots, even on ASEs, that aren't milk spots at all.
Did you mean by the word “GOLD”? Sorry, but can you take the photo somewhere where there’s more light and center the camera on the coin?
This is a much better photo, and I can see something there. I think it looks like some sort of speck/imperfection was on the coin and caused some oxidation around it. I am definitely not the expert on these, though. @ToughCOINS @jtlee321 deal with lots of gold and can probably chime in.
I appreciate your time just very frustrating went away from silver due to issues now my gold coins showing flaws. I know a lot of the community does not agree with buying Pf70 coins but it’s just my preference. But I can tell you it’s not red it’s a light white milky color like some of my 2017/2018 pf70 eagles
Have you ever seen anything like that on a gold eagle especially as recent as 2017? Apologies know I’m asking a lot of questions
I'm going to admit that it would be rather rare for me to purchase a gold coin as I keep a strict $50/month coin budget. I don't have the experience to tell you how often this happens, but with every proof coin, there are always imperfections. From what I have read, these seem to be mostly limited to modern silver proof coins, but I imagine that the polishing for gold proof coins is not much different. http://news.coinupdate.com/milk-spots-on-modern-silver-coins-how-big-of-an-issue/
If you're that concerned about such spots, in my opinion, there's plenty of reason not to buy PR70 or PF70 proof material sight unseen. One also must remember that such spots may not have developed until after the coin was graded. Contaminants could be overlooked while the coin is being graded, but just as possibly, be introduced to the coin by the grader, in the flip, or by the employee sealing the coin in the holder. I've seen enough modern proof gold with "milk" spots like this, or with copper spotting. Maybe @Santinidollar will chime in. I posted him about such issues while searching for pieces for him at shows.
@ToughCOINS Mike is right, especially on the milk spots. If you take a close look at some of the modern proof offerings (especially on American Gold Eagles), you’ll see them showing up even on the pictures. And I’m talking coins with a 70 grade from PCGS or NGC. Same with the copper-colored spotting. I know Mike looked at a number of 2006 Buffalo gold proofs at a show before we pulled the trigger on one. I bought a 1986 AGE proof with good pictures from a top dealer only after talking with them about it and having a return option. And I admit I was still nervous until I had it in my hand. What I wouldn’t do for sure is buy a PR70 from a gold dealer’s lot. I haven’t seen one yet that allows returns. Spots may be no big deal to a bullion dealer. But from a collectible standpoint, I don’t like them.