NGC Conservation: Keeping Hazing Residues in Check

When coins are stored in improper conditions, they often end up with residues or other unsightly or harmful contaminants blemishing the surfaces. Fortunately, NGC Conservation is here to help. NGC's conservationists use a variety of proprietary techniques to remove these harmful surface contaminants, stabilizing and protecting a coin's surfaces. Often, these conservation efforts also improve a coin's eye appeal. After coins are conserved, they are seamlessly transferred for grading and encapsulation with NGC.

This month, NGC's conservationists encountered several coins with hazing residues afflicting their surfaces. Here are a few highlights of the coins that were conserved by NGC Conservation in recent weeks:

Proof 1879 3 Cent Nickel

Residues form through poor storage conditions or long-term storage in holders that are less than airtight. This Proof 1879 3 Cent Nickel was recently submitted to NGC Conservation to address a heavy hazing residue that had formed over the entire surface of the coin. NGC's conservators are well practiced in removing harmful residues from coins of various metallic composition without damaging the surfaces underneath. Following professional conservation, this coin was revealed to be bright and reflective, and graded well with NGC.

1940-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar

Heavy hazing residues are unsightly, and can potentially permanently damage a coin's surface if left unchecked. This 1940-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar was submitted to NGC to remove a hazing residue that had developed across the surface. Residues such as this often form when coins are placed in long-term storage in holders that aren't airtight. Once the offending residue was carefully removed without damaging the surface beneath, this bright silver coin was able to grade well with NGC.

Proof 1993-S James Madison Commemorative Dollar

Keeping coins in their original mint packaging is better than storing them in poor conditions, but specific kinds of hazing residues can still develop on coins left in these kinds of packaging. Modern coins, such as this silver Proof 1993-S James Madison Commemorative Dollar, are more susceptible to these types of residue. This commemorative coin arrived at NGC Conservation to remove a distracting blue spotty residue that had formed in the fields. Removal of residues such as this is a process that NGC's professional conservators are well versed in safely performing without harming the coin's surface underneath. Following conservation, this coin was freed of the residue and graded well with NGC.

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