Conservation Showcase: Proof 1983 S Olympic $1

BEFORE CONSERVATION
Click to enlarge	Click to enlarge
AFTER CONSERVATION
Click to enlarge	Click to enlarge

As the world’s eyes turn to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for the commencement of another Olympic Games, we numismatists take a look at the souvenirs of past games in coin form. Multiple commemorative coins have been issued in honor of Olympic Games by the host nations and in honor of athletes sent to represent their nation. Conservation of these numismatic reminders of Olympic Games past is often an advantageous venture.

One astute collector took advantage of the Modern Coin rate for professional conservation and grading and had several modern commemoratives conserved first before sending to NGC to have their coins grade in the best possible state. This 1983 S Silver Dollar was issued to commemorate the 1984 games in Los Angeles. Years of storage in original mint packaging, which does not offer the most ideal protection from the outside environment especially for a coin with sensitive surfaces such as a proof coin, caused the build up of thick residues over the mirrored fields. The conservators at NCS were able to successfully remove the residues and slight yellowing prior to being certified and graded favorably with NGC.