NGC Conservation: Unveiling the Luster in Unusual Coins

NGC® 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, they are then graded and encapsulated. Below are a few highlights of coins that were conserved and graded by NGC recently.

Greece 1884A 20 Drachma

Residues can form on the surface of coins for many reasons, including poor long-term storage, which sometimes happens with a coin whose value dramatically increases over time. This gold Greece 1884A 20 Drachma was recently submitted for NGC Conservation to address some reddish residue that had formed against the reliefs, predominantly on the coin's reverse. Conservators at NGC have developed specific techniques to safely remove residues such as this from gold coins without damaging the softer surfaces underneath. This gold piece from Greece was freed of the unattractive residues and was able to grade well with NGC.

Egypt AH1363//1944 2 Piastres

Heavy PVC residues aren't just ugly; they can also begin corroding the surface of a coin if left unchecked. This silver Egypt AH1363//1944 2 Piastres was submitted to NGC Conservation to remove a heavy green PVC residue that had developed evenly across the high points on the surface. Bright green residues such as this are often indicators of long-term storage in soft flips. Once the offending residue was carefully removed without damaging the surface beneath, this popular hexagonal coin was able to proceed to NGC for grading.

1969-D Kennedy Half Dollar – Mint Error

Error coins are interesting to look at, but poor long-term storage can dampen their eye appeal with unattractive residues. This Mint Error 1969-D Kennedy Half Dollar that was struck 55% off center arrived at NGC with the goal of getting distracting and potentially harmful yellow residues removed from all its surfaces. Long-term storage in holders that contain the plasticizer PVC can lead to the formation of these residues, but NGC's conservators are well versed in safely carrying out the removal process without harming the coin's surface underneath. Following conservation efforts, this error coin graded well with NGC.

For more information about NGC Conservation, visit NGCcoin.com/ngc-conservation.