NCS Conservation: February 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.

Certain types of coins frequently develop similar types of residues. Gold coins, such as on this 1916-S Indian $5, can develop a particular thick rust colored red-orange residue. Care must be taken when removing such a thick residue as to not damage the surface through scratches or hairlines in the removal process. With care, the NCS conservators were able to remove the ugly residue and reveal a lustrous gold coin underneath. This coin was able to grade well numerically with NGC following skilled conservation work.

1916-S Indian $5 Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1916-S Indian $5 After conservation Click images to enlarge.

A thick green residue on a nickel coin usually means the scourge of PVC residue has affected a coin. This 1913-D Type 2 Buffalo Nickel was recently submitted to remove a rather extensive case of PVC residue. PVC residue is the result of extended storage in a flip containing PVC, most often a soft flip. When PVC is this advanced, the fear is that the residue has begun to permanently damage the surface of the coin. In this case, the PVC residue was able to be safely removed from the surface of the nickel and, fortunately, little permanent damage was uncovered. This coin was able to grade numerically with NGC following the conservation.

1913-D Type 2 Buffalo Nickel Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1913-D Type 2 Buffalo Nickel After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Copper coins will often develop a particular milky opaque green residue that builds in recesses of the design. This Colonial cent, referred to as the undated Washington on Both Sides Cent, developed such a particular residue. The conservators at NCS have special techniques to remove such residues, though there is always concern for the surfaces underneath. Such opaque residues can hide considerable damage. That was not the case, however, once the potentially damaging residue was removed from this particular Colonial issue. This piece was able to grade well with NGC following professional conservation.

Washington Double-Head Cent Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Washington Double-Head Cent After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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