NCS Conservation: May Highlights

Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) uses a variety of proprietary techniques to remove harmful surface 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 Corporation (NGC), an independent affiliate of NCS, for grading and encapsulation.

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

This 2000 China Dragon fan-shaped gold 50 Yuan was submitted for NCS conservation with a terrible case of unsightly red spots covering both obverse and reverse. Spots such as these can develop on the surface of gold coins in a wide range from just single tiny spot to spots completely covering the surface as can be seen on this Chinese modern coin. The spots were successfully able to be reduced and the coin was able to grade very well with NGC following conservation.

China 2000 Dragon Fan Gold 50 Yuan Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

China 2000 Dragon Fan Gold 50 Yuan After conservation Click images to enlarge.

This silver Proof 1994 Poland commemorative 200,000 Zloty came into NCS after developing a bluish haze in the fields and a yellowed appearance to the devices. Both the haze and yellowing can result from storing modern coins in original mint holders that are not air-tight and thus offer less-than-stellar protection from environmental hazards. Care must be taken when removing residues on a proof coin such as this. After successful removal of the residues and yellowing, this coin was able to grade extremely well with NGC.

Poland 1994 Silver Commemorative 200,000 Zloty Proof Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Poland 1994 Silver Commemorative 200,000 Zloty Proof After conservation Click images to enlarge.

This South Korea 1988 10,000 Won celebrating gymnastics for the Olympic Games held in Seoul that year came to NCS in need of help to remove some heavy residue hiding the original surfaces. Careful conservation work was able to remove the thick layer of residue, leaving a coin with bright, clear surfaces to grade with NGC.

South Korea 1988 10,000 Won Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

South Korea 1988 10,000 Won After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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