Silver Maple Degradation (not sure if right forum)
Not sure if this would get more exposure in the Silver forum. However, I'm a tiny physical investor in the UK. I like to collect bullion coins from loads of different countries, so instead of just stacking bars of identical silver, I prefer to get a tube of ASEs, a tube of Phils, a tube of Maples, Libertads (beautiful coins!!!!), etc. I also pick up individual coins for collectable purposes. But in general - Canadian silver Maples, whilst high purity - are 'investment bullion' to me. I bought a couple of tubes a while ago. I've been messing about with Bitcoin and other Internet crypto currencies and exchanged them for Maples, and noticed that the Maples I got sent were often slightly corroded. The edges, sometimes as much as a sector off the side, would have a White discolouration, very much like a type of corrosion. However, my chemical knowledge says silver oxide is black and White silver salts would be unstable. In a panic, I checked the unopened tubes, which came from a respected dealer. I hadn't taken the coins out and chucked them around with bare hands either - I checked the second tube which had never been opened... The 'fresh' coins showed the same White discolouration, to different degrees. None of my other coins do this. Even my 'lucky' coins which tend to sit in my pocket and get 'real' circulation abuse. Is this a .9999 problem or do I have fake coins? I'd be shocked if the coins were fake. They're not kept in inappropriate conditions either. I've even got a *more* pure coin - the Royal Silver Andean Cat at .99999 - this hasn't corroded either (though is in airtight packaging). I'd have thought that the Canada Mint tubes offered a good enough barrier from the air? Does this also make my Maples unsellable now? Somewhat confused, esp since the UK doesn't have 'Local Coin Shops'. Would appreciate advice / other experiences! Cheeeers, catfish
