BENEFITS OF CONSERVATION
Rare coins are like no other collectible. Steeped in history,
each possesses a unique background and historical context
that captures the imagination. First-time enthusiasts,
serious collectors, and professional coin dealers, all
involved in numismatics, find great excitement in discovering
the qualities that make each coin special.
Over time a coin can change in appearance due to environmental
conditions, mishandling and natural forces of decay.
You can take an active role in preserving coins for
future generations to admire by contacting Numismatic
Conservation Services (NCS) so that NCS’ specialists
may assist quickly in identifying damaging conditions,
and professionally conserve and stabilize your coins.
The expertise of NCS technicians has long been needed in numismatics.
Not to be confused with undesirable cleaning, proper
numismatic conservation involves examination, scientific
analysis and a reliance upon an extensive base of numismatic
knowledge to determine the nature of a coin’s state
of preservation and the extent of any damage. NCS is
uniquely qualified to meet the conservation needs of
the hobby.
Eight metals are primarily used in minting coins, tokens
and medals: platinum, gold, silver, copper, aluminum,
zinc, tin, and nickel. Platinum and gold are considered
to be durable and stable but not impervious to damage.
Silver, copper, aluminum, zinc, tin, and nickel are
more susceptible to environmental damage to their gold
counterparts, with tin being the least stable metal.
Most coins are made of alloys. Gold and silver, for
instance, are usually alloyed with copper. Metals may
corrode when in contact with acidic materials and excessive
moisture and heat. The effects of corrosion appear differently
on each metal or alloy. Tin becomes white and scaly,
and may crumble away in your hands.
Light surface corrosion, or toning as it’s described
in the numismatic community, can be very desirable.
Collectors often prize it as one indicator of a coin’s
originality, or closeness to its original state. Toning
causes copper coins to turn brown, and silver and nickel
coins to develop hues of blue, red, green, purple, and
other colors. Often, these coins need little or no conservation;
however, advanced stages of corrosion can damage a coin’s
surfaces. If the toning process goes too far, the coins
turn black and the actual surface of the coin may be
ruined forever.
Traditionally, collectors have been told to never have
their coins cleaned; yet this policy stands in stark
contrast to many other fields of collectibles. For example,
the restoration and conservation of art works is performed
routinely. Paintings are not mounted for display with
their original beauty hidden beneath layers of dirt
and aged varnish. Rather, such debris is painstakingly
removed by persons highly skilled in this restoration
work. Gems, silver, and other antiques are cleaned and
maintained in good order. To do otherwise would be negligent.
What should matter is how and why objects are cleaned.
Professional coin conservators are no less skilled and
responsible than conservators in other fields, so it
is time to re-evaluate the cleaning and conservation
of coins in this new light. Cleaning removes dirt and
agents that hide or might be harmful to an object’s
natural and original state. Proper cleaning takes into
account original materials and finishes. It studiously
avoids damaging original materials and finishes. The
overall appearance is enhanced and the coin is more
likely to last.
The professionals at NCS are skilled in conservation
techniques that can prolong the life of the coins in
your collection and, as a side benefit, often enhance
their appearance. Combining knowledge of materials science
with extensive numismatic experience, they strive to
the fullest extent possible to return your coin to its
original appearance.
Sometimes confusion arises about the term "conservation."
Numismatic conservation involves examination, scientific
analysis, and a reliance upon an extensive base of numismatic
knowledge to determine the nature of a coin’s state
of preservation and the extent of any damage. Conservation
also encompasses appropriate procedures to protect the
coin’s original appearance and to guard against
future deterioration to whatever extent possible.
Professional conservation should not be confused with
"Coin Doctoring", in which an attempt is made
to improve the appearance and grade of a coin through
deceptive means such as artificial toning and where
unaccepted or unorthodox methods are employed. Also
not qualifying as conservation is restoration where
mechanical repairs are made such as filling holes, smoothing
out scratches, and re-engraving of detail. It is essential
to speak with an NCS professional:
- when you notice changes in a coin, such as discoloring
or spotting
- before you try to conserve a damaged coin yourself
- if your coin has been subjected to extreme environmental
conditions
- after you have submitted a coin to a grading service
and had it returned with a "no grade" designation
for certain reasons such as "PVC," "artificial
toning" or "Residue."
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