Conservation Showcase: Greece 1343-53 1z Chios

BEFORE CONSERVATION
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AFTER CONSERVATION
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Coins made prior to the advent of modern machine coining techniques provide challenges and rewards for many numismatists worldwide. The unique surfaces of these coins also bring special concerns for the conservator. As with many medieval coins, this gold coin has uneven surfaces and a thin planchet as well as sharp edges all of which provide specific concerns for the conservator.

This gold Greek Zecchino of 1343-1353 made on the island of Chios near modern day Turkey was produced as a copy of the Venetian trade coins of the day. The coin was submitted to remove a reddish pink residue from the recesses of the design. When removing such substances off of medieval handmade coins it is important to be mindful of the physical differences these pieces exhibit compared to those of modern struck coins. Luckily the encrustation was able to be removed from the surface of this coin leaving behind surfaces clear and ready for grading with NGC. This coin was able to grade with regular numeric grading with NGC following the conservation work.