NCS September 2017 Highlights

Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) uses a variety of proprietary techniques to remove harmful surface contaminants, stabilize and protect a coin's surfaces and, in may cases, improve a coin's eye appeal. After coins are conserved by NCS, they are seamlessly transferred to Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), an independent affiliate of NCS, for grading and encapsulation.

Below are a few highlights of coins that were conserved by NCS and graded by NGC recently.

This 1888-S Morgan Silver Dollar had spent a good deal of time most likely in a questionable coin holder probably held in place with transparent tape. Yellowish residue that is noticeably raised on the surface can be seen in various spots on both sides of this dollar. Residues such as this can have a corroding effect underneath and cause unusual oxidation patterns on the exposed surfaces if left too long. This coin was able to be freed of all glue residues and grade with NGC following careful conservation work at NCS.

1888-S Morgan Silver Dollar Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1888-S Morgan Silver Dollar After conservation Click images to enlarge.

This obscured coin, or token, or medal (below), was submitted to NCS for obvious reasons. Underneath a thick layer of wax was a 1933 South Africa Penny. How this layer of wax came to be on this coin likely was the result of a numismatist in the past making a misguided attempt to protect the surfaces of a prized coin. Oftentimes, when a coin is submitted to NCS with such an extreme case of residue that its very identity is not immediately known, someone has forceably tried to remove some of the offending substance. That force will nearly always cause permanent damage. In the case of this South African coin, no attempt to remove the wax prior to NCS conservation was made, and through long careful conservation work, this coin was able to grade numerically with NGC.

South Africa 1933 Penny Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

South Africa 1933 Penny After conservation Click images to enlarge.

This 1902 Barber Quarter came to NCS in need of help to remove the remnants of a paper sticker and glue on the reverse. While the purpose of adhering this sticker to the reverse of this quarter may not be known for certain, the red border that remains is certainly reminiscent of a vintage price tag sticker. Conserving this coin required both removal of the paper and removal of the hardened adhesive material while leaving the pleasant color on this coin to remain as much as possible. Careful conservation work was able to accomplish that end and leave a naturally toned coin to grade numerically with NGC.

1902 Barber Quarter Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1902 Barber Quarter After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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