NCS Conservation: September 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.

Long periods of poor storage can lead to ugly things to develop on the surface of a coin. This English gold Crown of King Charles I produced from 1641-43 was submitted for NCS conservation to remove a heavy brown and black residue. Residues such as the one exhibited on this important gold coin are often indicative of a long period spent buried in soil. Conservation was able to remove the residue on this gold piece, allowing it to grade numerically with NGC following conservation.

Great Britain 1641-43 King Charles I Gold Crown Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Great Britain 1641-43 King Charles I Gold Crown After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Poor long-term storage had left a noticeable, even dulling, residue on the surface of this bronze Ireland 1937 Penny. Copper coins present certain challenges to conserve; care must be taken to not alter the color while removing any unattractive and possibly damaging residues. Careful conservation was able to remove the thick layer of residue, revealing a significantly brighter coin underneath. This coin was able to be numerically graded with NGC following conservation.

Ireland 1937 Penny Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Ireland 1937 Penny After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Poor storage can even leave modern coins with detrimental residues. This 2001 silver Great Britain 50 Pence Britannia had developed a ugly yellow haze obscuring the original surface. Thick residues on modern proof coins must be removed carefully as to not damage the surface beneath. After careful professional conservation work, this coin received a high grade with NGC.

Great Britain 2001 Silver 50 Pence Britannia Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Great Britain 2001 Silver 50 Pence Britannia After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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