NCS Conservation: Modern Coins from Asia Back in the Hunt

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.

Macau 1984 Silver 5 Patacas

Residues can be not only unattractive but, when left on the surface of a coin, often lead to permanent changes. Professional conservation can help to both remove the unattractive residue and prevent any surface damage from occurring. This Macau 1984 Silver 5 Patacas was recently submitted for NCS conservation to improve the appearance prior to grading by removing an uneven hazy residue that had formed on both sides of the coin. Hazy residues such as these must be carefully removed without leaving hairlines, and the professional conservators at NCS have developed techniques to remove these residues safely. After successful residue removal, this modern silver coin was revealed to be bright and was able to grade very well with NGC.

Macau 1984 Silver 5 Patacas Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Macau 1984 Silver 5 Patacas After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Hong Kong 1977 Gold 1,000 Dollars

Modern gold coins can develop similar hazing residues as the ones found on coins made of lesser metals. This Hong Kong 1977 Gold 1,000 Dollars was submitted to remove a substantial opaque hazing residue hiding the reflective surfaces. It is important to remove these kinds of residues carefully without disturbing the reflective surfaces of a gold Proof coin underneath. Fortunately, all residues were able to be safely removed, allowing this coin to grade very well with NGC.

Hong Kong 1977 Gold 1,000 Dollars Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Hong Kong 1977 Gold 1,000 Dollars After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Indonesia 1974 Silver 1,000 Rupiah

Poor long-term storage can lead to the development of severe residues on specially issued modern coins. This Indonesia 1974 Silver 1,000 Rupiah was recently sent to NCS to address an exceptionally heavy residue that had developed. Heavy residues such as this are often due to long-term storage using less-than-ideal methods that may have included a coin holder containing PVC. The offending residues were able to be carefully removed, revealing a bright Proof quality silver coin with little permanent surface damage. Following professional conservation, this coin was able to grade well with NGC.

Indonesia 1974 Silver 1,000 Rupiah Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Indonesia 1974 Silver 1,000 Rupiah After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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