NCS Conservation: If I Had a Nickel (for Every Coin Saved from Harmful Residues)

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 made of an alloy containing a significant amount of nickel present some unique challenges when it comes to conservation of detrimental residues. This 1913 Type 2 Buffalo Nickel was recently submitted for NCS conservation to remove a heavy yellowish residue that had developed in a linear fashion on both sides of the coin.

Heavy opaque residues can cause corrosion with certain environmental conditions on any coin, and with nickel coins this is often especially true. Fortunately, however, for this 5 cent coin, the residue had not permanently altered the surface. Following its removal, the coin remains an evenly gray-colored lustrous example of the first year of issue for this design. After successful residue removal, this coin was able to grade well with NGC.

US 1913 Type 2 Buffalo Nickel Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

US 1913 Type 2 Buffalo Nickel After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Residues often develop on the surface of nickel-alloy coins, and these can both be unattractive and potentially damaging. This copper-nickel Greek Republic 1926 Drachma was submitted to NCS to remove opaque residues covering the fields. When heavy residues develop on the surface of many coins, that can be a frequent recipe for the development of permanent damage. This popular Greek coin featuring the head of Athena, however, was able to have the unattractive residue safely removed, revealing no permanent damage underneath. Following professional conservation, this coin was able to grade very well with NGC.

Greece 1926 Drachma Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Greece 1926 Drachma After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Long-term storage in poor-quality holders can lead to the development of sometimes horrific residues. This nickel-alloy China 1980 1 Yuan featuring a depiction of the Great Wall was recently sent to NCS to address a significant green and brown residue that had developed in a remarkedly even fashion across the entire coin surface. Heavy green residues on nickel-alloy coins can often indicate the presence of corrosion. Once the thick layer of residue was skillfully removed by NCS conservators, this coin was revealed to have a relatively damage-free surface. Following professional conservation, this pleasantly even-colored coin was able to grade problem-free with NGC.

China 1980 1 Yuan Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

China 1980 1 Yuan After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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