NCS Conservation: April 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 gold 2 Escudo of Colombia recently came to NCS to remove some unattractive residues in the crevices of its design. Though it may not be immediately apparent to those unfamiliar with Spanish Colonial cob style coins, the date on this piece is visible above the northwest quadrant formed by the cross, and the N R mintmark for Nuevo Reino, now known as Bogota, can be found to the right of the shield. Residues such as those that appear on this impressive gold piece are often the result of burial and, as such, require special techniques to remove. With the residues expertly removed by NCS technicians, this Latin American gold coin is bright and exhibiting full details. Following NCS conservation, this coin was able to grade numerically with NGC.

Columbia 2 Escudo Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Columbia 2 Escudo After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Some coins arrive at NCS to remove evidence of some strange happenings in the past. This 1926-D Buffalo Nickel was submitted to NCS to remove glue residue and retained paper fibers that had caused some unusual coloring issues. Different kinds of glue require differing techniques to safely remove them without causing any damage in the process. Anytime a more extreme kind of residue needs to be removed from the surface of a coin, there is some concern as to what the residue has done to the surface. In this case, when the glue and fibers were professionally removed from this nickel, we were left with a coin nearly free of any permanent damage. Following conservation, this coin with a light natural color was able to grade well with NGC.

1926-D Buffalo Nickel Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1926-D Buffalo Nickel After conservation Click images to enlarge.

This copper Norway 1867 Half Skilling was sent to NCS with several small green corrosion spots, most notably on the right side of the obverse, and surface-obscuring residue. Light corrosion spots can continue to grow on the surface of copper coins, so their removal, if possible, is imperative to prevent further damage. The conservators at NCS were able to remove the residue and green spots from the entire surface of this coin to reveal a bright copper coin. Following PVC residue removal by the professional conservators at NCS, the coin was able to grade very well with NGC.

Norway 1867 Half Skilling Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Norway 1867 Half Skilling After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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