NCS Conservation: When a King Needs Some Ink Removed (AKA the Numismatic Version of Tattoo Regret)

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.

Germany 1843 Bavarian Constitution Commemorative Thaler

Residues can form through some extraordinary circumstances. This large silver Germany 1843 Bavarian Constitution Commemorative Thaler was recently submitted for NCS conservation to address a detail-obscuring residue that had developed in the fields and, more significantly, an ink printing that had transferred to the king’s face. Seeing and ink printing directly on the surface of a coin is unusual in itself, but given the mirror image in the appearance of the writing, how this transference exactly happened is a mystery.

The conservators at NCS have techniques at the ready to correct such residues. Both the ink and hazing residue were able to be removed, leaving the coin with a pleasant natural tone. Following conservation work, this German commemorative was able to grade well with NGC.

Germany 1843 Bavarian Constitution Commemorative Thaler Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Germany 1843 Bavarian Constitution Commemorative Thaler After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Lithuania 1936 10 Litas

Heavy residues are not only ugly but can potentially begin the process of environmental damage. This silver Lithuania 1936 10 Litas was submitted to NCS to remove a heavy coating of yellow residues. The NCS conservators are well practiced in removing residues such as what is seen here without damaging the surface underneath. Fortunately, the residues were able to be successfully removed, and this coin was able to grade numerically with NGC.

Lithuania 1936 10 Litas Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Lithuania 1936 10 Litas After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Hungary 1972 100 Florint

After a substantial period in poor long-term storage, even modern coins can develop dreadful residues. Conservation can help bring out their true beauty. This silver Hungary 1972 100 Florint commemorating the union of Buda and Pest had developed a serious obscuring residue over much of its surface. Careful removal of such residues must be performed to not further damage the mirrored fields. Following NCS conservation, the coin was revealed to be bright and graded very well with NGC.

Hungary 1972 100 Florint Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Hungary 1972 100 Florint After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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