NCS Conservation: Take the Leap

Numismatic Conservation Services™ (NCS®) uses a variety of proprietary techniques to remove harmful contaminants, stabilize and protect a coin's surfaces and, in many cases, improve a coin's eye appeal. After coins are conserved by NCS, they are seamlessly transferred to Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®), an independent affiliate of NCS, for grading and encapsulation.

Below are a few highlights of coins that were recently conserved by NCS and graded by NGC.

Long-term storage in soft flips containing PVC will lead to the formation of some unattractive residues. Not only are these residues ugly, but they can lead to the formation of permanent damage to a coin surface in the form of corrosion. Professional conservation can help to both remove the unattractive residue and prevent any surface damage from occurring.

This silver South Africa 1973 1 Rand was recently submitted for NCS conservation to remove a thick uniform residue that had formed on both sides of the coin. Opaque residues such as these can be troublesome to remove carefully without creating hairlines. However, the professional conservators at NCS have developed techniques to remove these residues safely. After successful PVC residue removal, this coin was revealed to be bright and lustrous then subsequently able to grade well with NGC.

South Africa 1973 1 Rand Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

South Africa 1973 1 Rand After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Residues can develop for many reasons, some of which baffle even seasoned numismatists. This large 5 ounce silver Dominican Republic 100 Peso commemorating the 500 years since discovery of the Americas by Columbus was submitted to remove streaks of dark amber residue. Special care must be taken when handling coins of this increased size, but the conservators at NCS were ready to remove such an unsightly and extensive residue. Following professional conservation to remove the amber colored residue, this coin was able to grade very well with NGC.

Dominican Republic 1988 100 Silver Proof Peso Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Dominican Republic 1988 100 Silver Proof Peso After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Modern coins often develop unattractive residues through poor storage. This brass China 1984 Panda 1 Yuan was recently sent to NCS to address a spotty hazy residue that had developed primarily in the reflective fields. Coins of copper alloy such as this piece present their own specific concerns during the conservation process. The conservators at NCS have developed techniques to address these kinds of residues yet retain the overall color of the coin. Once the offending residues were able to be removed, a pleasant cameo modern coin was revealed. Following professional conservation this coin was able to grade well with NGC.

China 1984 Brass Panda 1 Yuan Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

China 1984 Brass Panda 1 Yuan After conservation Click images to enlarge.

For more information about NCS, visit NGCcoin.com/NCS.

Interested in reading more articles on NCS Conservation? Click here.