"Why Wasn't my Coin Conserved?" Not
all coins submitted to NCS will be conserved.
Coins submitted to NCS for conservation will first be
evaluated. This evaluation process will consider several
important factors. Coins already certified will be evaluated
to see if the stated grade will at least be maintained
after conservation. Coins are also evaluated to see
if conservation work would, indeed, be beneficial. Once
conservation is deemed necessary, coins will then be
evaluated to determine the best techniques to improve
both the appearance of the coin and its long-term stability.
The evaluators look at each coin individually and give
their opinions based on what will likely lead to the
best results economically, aesthetically, and allow
for the best long-term stability.
There are many instances where already certified coins
will not be conserved when there is a significant risk
that the stated grade may not be maintained after conservation.
There are times that coins submitted are better left
as is and not conserved. This can be true of coins with
attractive toning or with blemishes struck into the
surface. For coins that have not been certified,
often times toning will hide irreversible surface problems,
such as scratches, and removing the toning will only
amplify the appearance of these problems. Situations
where patina has developed on copper coins or when things
such as lacquer have been applied to the surfaces may
also lead to a coin not being conserved.
The final stage of the evaluation determines what conservation
technique would be best for the coin. Knowledge and
experience both come into play when an evaluator determines
what, if any, conservation work should be done to a
particular coin.
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Coin of the Month
5065745-006
After over a century of improper storage, this 1864 Bronze Indian 1 cent came to NCS for conservation. Over the years the coin had developed some thick residues hiding the original surfaces and exhibiting themselves in pockets of greenish substances most notably on the reverse. Through NCS conservation efforts, the original surfaces were brought back to life and this particular example graded at NGC MS 65 RB.
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