NCS Conservation: Bright Futures for Coins After Residue Removal

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.

Long-term storage in less than ideal holders can lead to the formation of hazing and potentially damaging residues. Professional conservation can help to both remove the unattractive residue and prevent any surface damage from occurring. This gold Monaco 1945 5 Franc essai was recently submitted for NCS conservation to improve the appearance by removing a uniform residue that had formed, obscuring the lustrous fields. After successful residue removal, this coin was revealed to have bright fields and subsequently graded well with NGC.

Monaco 1945 5 Franc Essai Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Monaco 1945 5 Franc Essai After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Even modern coins develop residues, just as frequently as their more vintage counterparts. This silver 1988 Czechoslovakia commemorative 500 Korun was submitted to remove a detail obscuring white and yellow opaque residue hiding the bright surfaces. It is important to remove these kinds of residues carefully without disturbing the uncirculated surfaces underneath. Following professional conservation to remove the obscuring residue, this coin was able to grade very well with NGC.

Czechoslovakia 1988 500 Korun Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Czechoslovakia 1988 500 Korun After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Dull residues can hide the luster of copper nickel coins in a similar fashion as residues can hide luster on coins made of precious metals. This copper nickel 1923 10 Pfennig of the city state of Danzig was recently sent to NCS to address a residue that had developed obscuring the reflective fields. Residues such as this are often due to long-term storage in less than ideal standards that most likely included a coin holder containing PVC. All residues were able to be removed revealing a bright lustrous copper nickel coin. Following professional conservation this coin was able to grade well with NGC.

Danzig 1923 10 Pfennig Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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