Conservation Showcase: Proof 1963 Quarter

BEFORE CONSERVATION
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AFTER CONSERVATION
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Proof coins, in at least the last half century, are specially made and sold primarily to collectors. Given that fact, it is sometimes surprising to see the results of how proof coins can look after years of poor storage. This 1963 Proof Quarter is an example of one of the unusual looks proof coins of the 1950s and 1960s can sometimes exhibit. The appearance of blotchy yellow to brown to reddish-brown residue is both unattractive and potentially destructive to the fragile mirrored surfaces they cover. U.S. proof coins aren’t the only victims of this sort of residue either.

Through careful work, the NCS conservators are able to remove the offensive residues to reveal a bright white mirrored surface beneath. This particular sort of residue creates different challenges to the conservators than does other types of residues. Following conservation, this coin was able to grade with NGC.