Three questions about conservation.

keets

1.) Have you ever sent a Copper/Bronze coin to PCGS or NCS for conservation??
2.) If you have, was their a color change which took place?
3.) Does anyone know what chemicals PCGS or NCS uses or would likely us on Copper/Bronze coins??

Thanks in advance.

Al H.

1630Boston

1. No
2. N/A
3. I do not know

But I will await members answers to these questions, good post @keets

PerryHall

The chemicals that they use and their techniques are proprietary. In other words, they won't give away their trade secrets.

jafo50

I have two copper coins at NCS right now for conservation and grading. Spoke with them yesterday and they are waiting to be graded which should be completed this week. When I get them back I'll post an update to your questions.

Joe

keets

what prompted my questions is the 1840 Large Cent thread wherein a few members suggested that it be sent for conservation.

please, post your results and pictures if you can.

Insider2

Good post @keets

1. No

2. N/A However, an informed answer to this is probably: yes and no. That's because it depends on the grade of the coin, the color of the coin before treatment, what is on its surface, the chemicals used, and **was the conservation successful or did the coin "blow-up!"

3. NGC, Yes. ICG, Yes. PCGS, No. However, anyone searching the forums on several different sites will discover many chemicals such as acetone that are used.

ModCrewman

Here are links to a few that I've sent across the street recently. Color seems pretty consistent.

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4655531-001/67/ - 67 RD

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4655531-002/63/ - 63 CAM

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4655531-013/67/ - 67* RD

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4655531-018/67/ - 67 UCAM

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4655531-022/67/ - 67 UCAM

Recently through PCGS - Self conserved.

SP66 CAM
(
"")
SP65 CAM
(
"")

Insider2

Thanks,

Anyone have before and after images of more COPPER sent anywhere for conservation?

@ModCrewman said: Here are links to a few that I've sent across the street recently. Color seems pretty consistent.

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4655531-001/67/ - 67 RD

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/4655531-013/67/ - 67* RD

jafo50

@keets

Here are before and after photos of an 1825 Large Cent that I just got back from conservation and grading. I'm pleased with the results in general but there were areas around the devices and the stars which I thought could have been better. I'm OK with the grade.

Before - obviously

After

oldabeintx

Sent a proof IHC to NGC with carbon at the edge - thought the placement might allow conservation. Conservator showed it to Mark - no dice.

Klif50

Nope but in the shop, back in the day (late 70s) I used a ton of Dellers Darkener on copper and it looked good.

coinkat

A no to all 3 questions

DollarAfterDollar

Copper is one of the most delicate metals used for coinage. Some really sad looking pvc affected pennies can be conserved with acetone and often very minor beginning corrosion can at least be halted using olive oil. It's said that really dirty circulated pennies can be properly cleaned by boiling them in water a few minutes, often repeatedly however, boiling can harm the luster on an uncirculated cent.

There is nothing that can be done to take a red/brown coin back to red etc. They are not easily conserved and I would never recommend anything but Acetone.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Insider2

@Elemint said:

I've heard form a reliable source PCGS and NGC don't divulge what chemicals they use in their conservation formulas. Also, ICG wil in some cases, conserve a coin at no charge when sent in for grading.

ICG conserves coins for free AT THE MOMENT. We often call folks up if it will conserve/improve their coin. So far only one person tried to take advantage of this in a 100+ coin order of hazy proofs. We called him and he was charged a small fee.

IMO, the top two services don't have time to call folks. They both have established conservation services. I started NCS at NGC. While certain chemicals are proprietary (we sign confidentially agreements) the major chemicals we use are posted all over the place. Just about any coin dealer sells a few of them. Home Depot/Lowes sells others.

Brian Silliman (former NCS employee) covers conservation in a course for collectors. I only teach coin conservation to dealers.

lkeigwin

@keets said:
1.) Have you ever sent a Copper/Bronze coin to PCGS or NCS for conservation??
2.) If you have, was their a color change which took place?
3.) Does anyone know what chemicals PCGS or NCS uses or would likely us on Copper/Bronze coins??

1.) Yes
2.) Yes
3.) No, but I could make an educated guess.

BEFORE

AFTER