NCS December 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 many 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 Germany 1930J 3 Mark was submitted for NCS conservation with a severe case of PVC and other residues. Conservation on this piece would have to focus on the overall light PVC and the very different orange-red residue that seemed to develop mostly on the high points. Following careful conservation work, this German commemorative coin was able to grade numerically with NGC.

German 1930J 3 Mark Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

German 1930J 3 Mark After conservation Click images to enlarge.

This 1877G German Empire gold 5 Mark of Baden came to NCS for removal of a thick opaque yellow and red residue. Removal of heavy residues requires careful work to prevent damage to the surface underneath. Looking at the coin before conservation, there were no clues to the brilliant prooflike surfaces of the mint state strike coin hiding under the thick residue. After successful residue removal, this coin was able to grade well with NGC.

German Empire 1877G Gold 5 Mark of Baden Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

German Empire 1877G Gold 5 Mark of Baden After conservation Click images to enlarge.

This modern German 1991A 10 Mark commemorative honoring German unity and the Brandenburg gate came to NCS in need of help to remove the layer of residue obscuring the original surface. Several years of improper storage likely allowed the residue to develop — a problem that frequently plagues many modern coins. Careful conservation work was able to remove the thick layers of residue, leaving a coin with brilliant surfaces to grade well with NGC.

German Commemorative 1991A 10 Mark Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

German Commemorative 1991A 10 Mark After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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