NCS Conservation: Silver Coins Shine Again

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

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

Coins with heavy residues are not only less attractive but could even be ineligible for certification due to the potentially corrosive nature of those residues. This proof 1950 Franklin Half was recently submitted for professional conservation at NCS to address a heavy residue that had obscured the mirrored fields so profoundly that it was difficult to determine the piece was a Proof at first glance.

Careful conservation was performed to remove the offending residue without damaging the surface underneath. This particular Franklin Half came out looking bright and remarkably free from any irreversible damage that a thick residue can inflict. This coin graded very well with NGC following conservation.

1950 Franklin Half Proof Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1950 Franklin Half Proof After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Poor long-term storage conditions often lead to the development of residues. This silver Bulgaria 1937 100 Lev was submitted for NCS professional conservation to address a mild case of residue development of unknown origin. The conservators at NCS were able to safely remove the detail-obscuring residue, revealing a bright lustrous silver coin. Following conservation, this coin was able to grade numerically with NGC.

Bulgaria 1937 100 Lev Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Bulgaria 1937 100 Lev After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Long-term storage in inexpensive holders that contain PVC often lead to the development of terrible residues. This large silver Free City of Danzig 5 Gulden coin was recently sent to NCS to address a PVC residue that had developed primarily on the high points in addition to a few small dark toning spots. Small areas of undesirable toning can frequently appear hand in hand with PVC residue development. The green PVC residue as well as the distracting small toning spots were able to be safely removed. Following conservation, this coin was able to grade well with NGC.

Danzig 1927 5 Gulden Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Danzig 1927 5 Gulden After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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