NCS Conservation: Shape Up or Ship Out

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 Company® (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.

When it comes to modern coins, the original mint packaging may look nice, but is not always the best protection for the coin. This three-sided copper-nickel 1997 Bermuda Dollar commemorative was recently submitted for NCS to remove a heavy residue that had developed on both sides of the coin. Residues such as seen here can develop on the surface of modern issues sometimes from original mint packaging but just as frequently from secondary poor quality holders. Heavy residues can often create permanent damage through corrosion, but luckily, the residue was able to be safely removed from the surface of this unusual coin. After successful residue removal, it was able to grade well with NGC.

Bermuda 1997 Dollar - Wreck of the Sea Venture Before conservation Click images to enlarge.
Bermuda 1997 Dollar - Wreck of the Sea Venture After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Opaque residues are not only unattractive but can hide the beginning stages of corrosion. This copper-nickel 1981 South Korea 100 Won commemorating the 5th Republic anniversary was submitted to remove white residues hiding the reflective fields. 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.

South Korea - 1981 100 Won - 5th Republic Anniversary Before conservation Click images to enlarge.
South Korea - 1981 100 Won - 5th Republic Anniversary After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Long-term storage in original mint holders can lead to the development of feature-hiding residues. This piefort France 1968 ½ Franc was recently sent to NCS to address a heavy opaque residue that had developed remarkedly evenly across the entire coin surface. Once the heavy residues were removed from this specially struck double-thick piefort issue, a pleasantly colored coin was revealed. Following professional conservation, this coin was able to grade well with NGC.

France 1968 Piefort ½ Franc Before conservation Click images to enlarge.
France 1968 Piefort ½ Franc After conservation Click images to enlarge.

For more information about NCS, visit NGCcoin.com