NCS Conservation: golden opportunity

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Three gold coins seize the chance to grade well with NGC.

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 Company (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.

Residues can obscure details and hide the true potential of a coin. This 1819 gold duplone of the Swiss Canton of Bern was recently submitted for NCS conservation to address a detail obscuring residue that had developed in the fields and deep crevices of the devices. When removing heavy residues from such a thin gold piece, extreme care must be taken. After precise conservation work, this gold coin was free of damaging residues and features a reflective Prooflike appearance. This coin went on to grade well with NGC.

Switzerland 1819 Bern duplone before conservation.

Switzerland 1819 Bern duplone after conservation.

Many times, residues form long before a coin is a prized part of a collection. This 1712 gold Spain eight escudos was submitted to NCS to remove a heavy coating of red and orange residue. Residues such as these are often an indication a coin has spent a considerable amount of time buried in the ground. The NCS conservators are well practiced in removing heavily encrusted residues such as what was seen here. After the removal of all red encrustations, this large gold coin was ready to grade numerically with NGC.

Spain 1712-S M eight escudos before conservation.

Spain 1712-S M eight escudos after conservation.

Modern gold issues can use conservation to bring out their true beauty. This 2017 225th U.S. Mint Anniversary high relief gold $100 had developed several spots on the obverse. Dark red and purple spots, such as those on this large gold piece, are frequently seen on gold coins from around the world. Safe removal of the spots while avoiding scratches to the surface underneath is a top concern for the conservators at NCS, especially when working on the delicate surfaces of a .9999 fine gold coin. After the spots were successfully removed, this coin was able to grade exceptionally well with NGC.