NCS Conservation: Old World Coins Get a New Lease on Life

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 that were conserved by NCS and graded by NGC recently.

While residues can be unattractive in many cases, some extreme forms of residue can be downright ugly. This Russia 1819CNB NC Half Rouble was recently submitted for NCS conservation to address the troubling opaque residues that had completely covered the surface of the coin. Advanced cases of residue development present particular considerations for conservation. Complete coverage of a coin surface leads to concern regarding the state of the surfaces underneath because permanent corrosion may be taking place, and the matrix of the heavy residue could lead to damage in the removal process. This classic Russian silver coin was skillfully conserved to reveal bright lustrous surfaces under heavy residue. This coin was able to grade well with NGC following professional conservation.

Russia 1819CNB NC Half Rouble Before conservation Click images to enlarge.
Russia 1819CNB NC Half Rouble After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Poor-quality coin holders can create very unattractive residues on the surfaces of Proof-quality coins. This Yugoslavia 1968 20 Dinar issued to commemorate the anniversary of the Republic was submitted to NCS to address a uniform opaque residue hiding the mirrored fields. This type of hazing residue is most often the result of long-term storage in PVC-laden coin holders. Heavy PVC residues such as what was seen here can often cause permanent damage. Following careful conservation, the true beauty of this coin was revealed with relatively little damage and was able to grade very well with NGC.

Yugoslavia 1968 20 Dinar Before conservation Click images to enlarge.
Yugoslavia 1968 20 Dinar After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Residues can develop in a wide variety of hues and inundation. Besides being unattractive, residues can cause permanent damage to the surface under the right — or rather, wrong — circumstances. This Germany 1932F 3 Mark commemorating the death anniversary of German writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe was submitted to NCS to remove the bright yellow yet relatively transparent residue present on a substantial portion of both sides. While the cause of such an evident residue may not be known, care is taken by the NCS professionals when any residue is removed. With complete removal of all residues, this coin was able to shine bright and lustrous, and it graded numerically with NGC.

Germany 1932F 3 Mark Before conservation Click images to enlarge.
Germany 1932F 3 Mark After conservation Click images to enlarge.

For more information about NCS, visit NGCcoin.com.