Coin Conservation

I can tell you that I have used NCS before and was very pleased in the outcome, if I had known they would come out so much different I would have taken before and after pics

Thanks for your input, Susan & Bryan. I called NCS today & have submission forms on the way. I'm going to send some raw coins first to get my feet wet. Do you think it would be beneficial to the community to chronicle the process? I could do before & after photos & give input regarding the process & results. If you like the idea, I'm game for it. Might need help with uploading images. I've got ebay figured out, but I'm not terribly computer literate. Let me know. Thanks, David

Here is another coin NCS did an amazing job on
Before


After


From NCS Newsletter about this coin
Residues can hide a coin's true potential. This 1898 proof Morgan dollar is a prime and striking example of this phenomenon. This coin's surface was entirely blanketed with a purple and dull brown haze. A large spot covering Liberty's ear and lower hair on the obverse was particularly detracting from the coin's visual appeal. Otherwise pristine and one of only 735 produced, its true beauty and marketability were hindered by unattractive cloudy residues.

Careful efforts were taken by the NCS conservators to remove the offending residues. By first removing the large spot covering Liberty, then by removing the general residue and haze from the remainder of the coin, this coin's original beauty was revealed once again. Removal of the residues on this coin dramatically improved the coin's appearance. Following conservation, this coin graded PF 67 Ultra Cameo at NGC.

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Originally posted by walker

Thanks for your input, Susan & Bryan. I called NCS today & have submission forms on the way. I'm going to send some raw coins first to get my feet wet. Do you think it would be beneficial to the community to chronicle the process? I could do before & after photos & give input regarding the process & results. If you like the idea, I'm game for it. Might need help with uploading images. I've got ebay figured out, but I'm not terribly computer literate. Let me know. Thanks, David

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I would be very interested in such a chronicle. I have at least one prime candidate for the process, and I'd like to see how it works.

NCS is a conservation company owned by NGC. The way they "clean" the coins its called conserving them instead of cleaning them so they can be graded after they are conserved. What methods do they use?, I have no idea and I always thought cleaning was cleaning no matter who did it but these people are turning some of the ugliest coins into beautiful specimens that are being graded afterwards so there must not be any indication to the TPG's of any cleaning what so ever

Conservation is a difficult process! Often when you use industrial cleaners, we expect the results back ASAP, and hence damaging the surfaces almost instanteous. I am not too sure what NCS does, but remember they wouldn't conserve all kinds of coins unless they believe they can improve the overall integreity of the coins.

We wouldn't really know how they do the conservation process - afterall it is a trademark and this is almost like a museum work. I don't think they are ready to give up all of the research that they have put in.