Conservation Showcase: 1878 CC Morgan Dollar

BEFORE CONSERVATION
click to enlarge	click to enlarge
AFTER CONSERVATION
click to enlarge	click to enlarge

Horror stories about the dangers of PVC residue are plentiful in the numismatic community. This green hazy residue is the result of plasticizers in certain coin holders leaching out of the holder and depositing on the coin surface due to environmental conditions. The residue is unattractive and with time can begin to etch into the coin surface causing permanent and irreversible damage.

Luckily for this 1878 CC Morgan Dollar, the PVC residue was caught before permanent damage was done. Careful removal of the green PVC residue as well as some unattractive red residue revealed this coin to be numerically gradeable with NGC.