NCS Conservation: August 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.

Long-term storage in original mint holders is rarely the best option for keeping a coin looking bright and reflective years after issuance. This AH 1397/1977 Jordan Silver 2 ½ Dinar Proof was submitted to NCS to address an opaque gray-tinted residue that had developed, completely covering the fields. Residues such as this commonly develop through poor storage in holders that are less than air-tight. Fortunately, NCS conservators have techniques to safely remove such ugly residues without damaging the surfaces underneath. Following successful conservation, this coin was able to grade very well with NGC.

AH 1397/1977 Jordan 2 1/2 Dinar Proof Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

AH 1397/1977 Jordan 2 1/2 Dinar Proof After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Decades of poor storage conditions often lead to the development of ugly residues. This 1976 Lesotho 50 Maloti Proof was submitted to NCS to not only address the opaque white haze on much of the fields but also the small dark red spots commonly referred to as copper spots that had appeared chiefly on the reverse. The haze likely developed with years of storage in a holder that is less than air-tight, while the spots commonly develop on coins of gold alloy, both modern and vintage. The NCS conservators are well practiced in treating coins suffering with both ailments without damaging the coin metal. Following careful conservation, this African commemorative coin was able to look as bright and flashy as the day it was originally issued and grade very well with NGC.

Lesotho 1976 50 Maloti Proof Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Lesotho 1976 50 Maloti Proof After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Long storage in original mint holders frequently causes the development of hazing residues. Even specially struck pieces can develop unsightly and potentially damaging haze. The presence of a thick hazy residue was the reason this AH 1395/1975 Yemen 25 Riyal in copper (the regular issue of this commemorative is gold) was submitted for conservation. It is important to remove these offending residues safely without damaging the mirrored surface of the coin underneath. Modern copper coins must be handled with particular care. With careful conservation, this commemorative was able to grade with NGC.

AH 1395/1975 Yemen 25 Riyal Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

AH 1395/1975 Yemen 25 Riyal After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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