Conservation Showcase: 1938 Mercury Dime

BEFORE CONSERVATION
click to enlarge	click to enlarge
AFTER CONSERVATION
click to enlarge	click to enlarge

Long-term storage in less than ideal holders can lead to the development of very unattractive residues on coins. This can be especially true of specially made proof coins whose original mint packaging is less than ideal. Questionable materials and a lack of air-tight seals can be a problem for both very modern coins and those with a few decades of vintage.

This proof 1938 Mercury Dime was recently submitted to NCS to have the effects of many years of improper storage removed with the hope that underneath would be undamaged surfaces. Precise conservation work was able to remove the residues from this coin revealing a damage free original surface. This Dime was able to grade numerically with NGC following the professional conservation.