What do you think of this copper conservation?
Broadstruck
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I saw this in NCS's Conservation Showcase which seems to be a group of coins they where proud of tweaking and email out each month.
If you sent in your copper with verdigris and it came back looking like the results below would you be happy
Would you buy a chunk of copper with the red spots in an NGC holder or would you run for the hills
BEFORE CONSERVATION:
AFTER CONSERVATION:
TEXT:
Conservation Showcase: 1837 Hard Times Token HT290
Posted on 2/1/2010
A recent example from our conservation laboratory.
Tokens have historically had a bum rap in the history of numismatics. With their lower interest level and lower values than their standard coin counterparts, tokens were often second class citizens in many a numismatic collection. Interest in this fascinating aspect of American Numismatics is changing and many pieces are even finding their way into certified holders.
This hard times token dated 1837 was recently brought to NCS to remove decades of residue and the early signs of corrosion on the surface. Through careful conservation the active corrosion spots were reduced and stabilized and the overall residues were removed. A clear token full of detail was revealed. This coin was able to grade numerically with NGC following the conservation
If you sent in your copper with verdigris and it came back looking like the results below would you be happy
Would you buy a chunk of copper with the red spots in an NGC holder or would you run for the hills
BEFORE CONSERVATION:
AFTER CONSERVATION:
TEXT:
Conservation Showcase: 1837 Hard Times Token HT290
Posted on 2/1/2010
A recent example from our conservation laboratory.
Tokens have historically had a bum rap in the history of numismatics. With their lower interest level and lower values than their standard coin counterparts, tokens were often second class citizens in many a numismatic collection. Interest in this fascinating aspect of American Numismatics is changing and many pieces are even finding their way into certified holders.
This hard times token dated 1837 was recently brought to NCS to remove decades of residue and the early signs of corrosion on the surface. Through careful conservation the active corrosion spots were reduced and stabilized and the overall residues were removed. A clear token full of detail was revealed. This coin was able to grade numerically with NGC following the conservation
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0
Comments
EAC 6024
-Paul
Maybe not "original", but I think that, if left unchecked, the coin would end up ruined.
Now, that said, is there a better way to handle the active corrosion? If so, I'd like to see it. If not, then it is what it is.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Getting past that and presuming the color, lighting, exposure, etc. are all the same....
The original coin's color looks much more natural, but the corrosion is worrisome.
The after coin's color looks messed with, and the corrosion is a more pleasing red.
I'm split, but lean towards the original, zits and all.
But that's just me....Mike
–John Adams, 1826
Inactive damage wins every time (second photo).
peacockcoins
The surfaces look very good for a conserved coin. I much prefer it to the stripped and recolored look we've seen a few threads on lately.
I would not have the coin with the active corrosion in my collection. I could accept the conserved coin. But the read spots are much more prominent than others I've seen and thought were "ok".
--Jerry
AB
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
did it they fast and ugly way
I have had much worse than that and after soaking in mineral oil the verdigris cane off and no stains
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
<< <i>People are going to scream it looks better in the before photos, and I have to agree, but what I am going to disagree with others about it the fact that the conservation saved the coin. Definitely active corrosion was fixed and neutralized, which in the long term, saves this coin.
-Paul >>
I couldn't have said it better.
But is this a rare or valuable token? Because if it's not, I wouldn't bother conserving it or adding it to my collection. It's no different to me than a corroded common date Lincoln penny I might find in change.
Part of the problem with coin doctors, NCS, and others who mess with coins is that we collectors keep giving them a reason to do it. We keep buying the stuff.
Id not be pleased though......
Maybe NCS needs to actually hire some of these back room Coin docs who know what they are doing to the extent they fool the experts....and make them legitimate.
<< <i>I agree with Stephanie, the conservation could have been done better and without the residues. Of course, the purists among us would not have the coin at all. I say, better well conserved than thrown in the garbage. Cheers, RickO >>
The point I was trying to make in my earlier post is that if more of us were "purists" and said no to a coin like this, then there would not be such a strong market for coin docs and eventually there would be far fewer "messed with" coins.
But hey, one man's trash is another man's treasure, as they say...
But the 'conserved' coin with it's color splotches, in my opinion, should not be slabbed until AFTER the color has a chance to even out after a few years.
By slabbing this coin now, NGC may actually be extending the life of the red spots, since the color difference may last longer than if the coin remained unslabbed until the color evens out over time.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
However, if the copper experts on this forum say that the conversion from green to red in all likelihood suggests that the corrosive process or potential corrosive process has been nullified, I'd be thrilled with red, all things considered.
Meet my first little guy, Benjamin. Born 4/8/2007
Pic taken at 2.5 years of age.
And then it came to me...like a bolt of lightning struck down from the heavens.
The two market leaders in our hobby or rather, "the industry", should resurect the posse- track down all those fringe players-the “doctors”
…..and force them to pay penance for there crimes thru years of sweat shop labor conserving coins for the industry.
Thereby legitimizing the industry that much more, and really the more important issue at hand……
....Offer us, collectors, a service that across the board warrants the price-
not some wam bam thank you mam conservation jobs. I'm talking some real surgical results.
It’s clearly a win-win situation for all of us…
<< <i>To me, the color looks better in the "before", but I dislike, and distrust, that active growth/corrosion so much, that I think the coin is better afterwards.
Maybe not "original", but I think that, if left unchecked, the coin would end up ruined.
Now, that said, is there a better way to handle the active corrosion? If so, I'd like to see it. If not, then it is what it is. >>
I agree!
<< <i>..........until the color evens out over time. >>
What makes you guys think that the color will "even out over time"?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
-Paul
<< <i>I agree with Stephanie, the conservation could have been done better and without the residues. Of course, the purists among us would not have the coin at all. I say, better well conserved than thrown in the garbage. Cheers, RickO >>
ill agree with this as well