NCS Conservation: A Cure for the Summertime Blues

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 holders that are not airtight can lead to the formation of a host of different residues on the surface of a coin. This Proof 1900 5 Cent was recently submitted for NCS conservation to remove an opaque residue that had formed on both sides of the coin. Residues such as those seen here can develop on the surface of not only nickel alloy coins but also on coins with alloys of silver or copper. Heavy residues like this can often create permanent damage through corrosion. Luckily the residue was able to be removed from the surface of this Proof nickel with only minimal permanent effects. After successful residue removal, this coin was revealed to be a bright evenly colored example and subsequently able to grade well with NGC.

1900 Proof Five Cent Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1900 Proof Five Cent After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Opaque residues are not only unattractive but can hide the beginning stages of corrosion. This copper-nickel 1976 Bicentennial quarter featuring the popular drummer reverse design was submitted to remove opaque bluish residues from predominantly the obverse side. Modern issues can have particularly sensitive surfaces so care must be taken in removing the residue safely while avoiding hairline scratches. Following professional conservation this coin was able to grade very well with NGC.

1976 Bicentennial Quarter Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1976 Bicentennial Quarter After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Long-term storage in poor quality holders will lead to the development of detail-hiding residues. This copper-nickel 1858 Flying Eagle cent was recently sent to NCS to address a greenish opaque residue that had developed fairly evenly across the surface. Coins of copper alloy such as this piece present their own specific concerns during the conservation process even aside from the potential permanent damage caused by the offending residue itself. Once the unattractive residues were able to be removed, a pleasant light colored coin was revealed. Following professional conservation this coin was able to grade well with NGC.

1858 Flying Eagle Cent Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1858 Flying Eagle Cent After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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

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