NCS Conservation: Lustrous Surfaces Revealed After Removal of Splotches and Haze

Numismatic Conservation Services™ (NCS®) uses a variety of proprietary techniques to remove harmful 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 recently conserved by NCS and graded by NGC.

Surviving in an uncirculated state for well over a century can lead to the development of many residues. This 1884-CC Morgan Silver Dollar was recently submitted for NCS conservation to improve the appearance by removing an opaque residue and slight toning that had developed in a splotchy fashion over the entire surface of the coin. A very bright and lustrous surface can be seen in the breaks of this unsightly and, with time, damaging residue. Professional conservators at NCS were able to safely remove the obscuring residues safely without damaging the lustrous white surfaces underneath. Following conservation, this Morgan Dollar was able to grade well with NGC.

1884-CC Morgan Silver Dollar Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1884-CC Morgan Silver Dollar After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Residues can develop on the surface of a coin unevenly. This 1928-D Buffalo Nickel was submitted to NCS to address a hazy surface obscuring residue that had developed much more noticeably on the reverse. Such residues, often caused to storage in common inexpensive coin holders, can often be removed and with luck before any permanent damage to the surface underneath has begun. This particular nickel was able to have the thick residues removed to reveal a bright and lustrous surface. While not always possible, this coin was able to retain the slight peripheral color. This coin was able to grade very well with NGC following conservation.

1928-D Buffalo Nickel Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1928-D Buffalo Nickel After conservation Click images to enlarge.

Modern coins often develop unattractive residues through poor storage. This 1986 Proof strike Gold Eagle bullion coin was recently sent to NCS to address an opaque residue that had developed on mostly the obverse. Residues such as this are not only unattractive but can permanently alter the surface metal if left in the correct poor environment. Luckily for this heavy gold piece, the residue was able to be safely removed without scratching the surface underneath leaving a Gold Eagle that graded very well NGC.

1986 Proof Gold Eagle Before conservation Click images to enlarge.

1986 Proof Gold Eagle After conservation Click images to enlarge.

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