NCS Conservation: May 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.

Modern coins can develop residues in much the same way as vintage pieces. Removal of these residues is imperative as they can reveal a coin that is bright and flashy as it was originally made. This 1972 Franklin Mint-minted Trinidad and Tobago silver $10 issued in honor of the island nation’s 10th anniversary of independence was submitted for NCS Conservation to help remove some spotty bluish and orange opaque residues covering both sides. Opaque residues such as this are often the result of long-term storage in holders that are not ideal. Conservators at NCS are careful to remove unsightly residues without permanently damaging the delicate surface underneath. The residues were completely removed, leaving a coin bright white and reflective and able to grade exceptionally well with NGC.

Trinidad and Tobago 1972 Silver $10 Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Trinidad and Tobago 1972 Silver $10 After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Years of poor storage conditions often lead to the development of ugly residues. This 1970 Panama Silver 5 Balboas coin commemorating the Central American Games held in Panama City that year was sent to NCS to address the multi-colored opaque residues that had developed rather uniformly across both sides. Mint State strike modern coins often develop residues as quickly as Proof strike coins, though the frosted surfaces oftentimes hide the residue better. The unattractive residues were able to be removed from the surface of this piece, revealing a frosty white original coin. Following professional conservation work, this coin was able to grade very well with NGC.

Panama 1970 Silver 5 Balboas Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Panama 1970 Silver 5 Balboas After conservation Click images to enlarge.

The development of unsightly and potentially damaging residues is not exclusive to coins made of precious metals. This copper-nickel 1983 Dominican Republic Peso in Proof strike came to NCS with an advanced brownish opaque residue hiding the mirrored fields and frosted devices. Just as with coins of precious metals, nickel and copper coins can develop residue through extended time in holders that are not ideal; often these holders are the original mint packaging. The NCS conservators were able to remove the thick residue from this copper-nickel coin and leave the piece original and free from damage. Upon completion of the necessary conservation work, this island nation coin was able to grade well with NGC.

Dominican Republic 1983 Peso Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

Dominican Republic 1983 Peso After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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