NGC Conservation: Eye Appeal Improved for a Trio of Coins from the Arab World

Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) 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, they are then graded and encapsulated. Below are a few highlights of coins that were conserved and graded by NGC recently.

AH575-622 Abbasid Dinar

Even gold coins can acquire unsightly residues through decades of improper storage. This gold Dinar attributed to Al-Nasir of the Abbasid Caliphate (AH575-622) was recently submitted for NGC conservation to address odd reddish residue that had developed heavily across the surface. Care must be taken when removing such heavy residues from a thin gold piece. After precise conservation work, this gold coin was free of damaging residues and features a pleasing even color. This coin went on to grade with NGC following professional conservation.

AH575-622 Abbasid Dinar Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

AH575-622 Abbasid Dinar After conservation Click images to enlarge.

AH1415//1994 Egypt 50 Pound

Modern gold coins can develop detriments from handling and improper storage. This Egypt AH1415//1994 Gold Proof 50 Pounds was submitted to NGC to remove a heavy coating of a hazy residue, as well as a faint fingerprint, and a few small dark gold spots. The oils in a fingerprint can etch into the surface of a coin, but, fortunately for this piece, the fingerprint as well as the opaque residue were able to be carefully removed without any permanent damage. The dark spots (often referred to as gold spots or copper spots and seen occasionally on gold coins from around the world) were also able to be safely removed. After removal of all residues, this gold commemorative was able to grade well with NGC.

AH1415//1994 Egypt Gold 50 Pounds Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

AH1415//1994 Egypt Gold 50 Pounds After conservation Click images to enlarge.

AH1402//1982 Iraq 250 Fils

Conservation can bring out the true beauty of many modern coins. This copper-nickel AH1402//1982-dated Iraq 250 Fils had developed a dull darkening haze evenly across the surface of both sides. Dull, slightly yellow hazes such as this are frequently seen on modern coins that have spent long-term storage in original mint holders. Original mint holders are rarely air-tight, which leads to a gradual development of hazing residue. Safe removal of the spots while avoiding scratches to the surface underneath is a top concern for the conservators at NGC. After the haze was successfully removed, this coin was able to grade well with NGC.

AH1402//1982 Iraq 250 Fils Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

AH1402//1982 Iraq 250 Fils After conservation Click images to enlarge.

For more information about NGC Conservation, visit NGCcoin.com/ngc-conservation.