Thoughts on NGC/NCS Conservation?

On several of my NGC submissions over the years, they have contacted me about having NCS conserve a particular coin on the submission. I've always opted for them to do it in that case, and while the coins always graded nicely afterward and were improved from a technical perspective, I haven't always thought the eye appeal was improved by the conservation.

 

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NCS's Pricing tiers state "all coins," so maybe? I'm sure a quick email to their customer service would answer the first part of your question at least

 

So I've elected to let them do conservation on the lower-graded coins they suggested, a few of the MS66 ones, but not every coin. Would like to see how it pans out for my own experience and curiosity. Will post my results when they are returned!

 

A raw coin could get a lower-than-expected or no grade even without conservation. I haven't tried the conservation services myself. But I would be more disappointed with an already slabbed coin going down in grade or reverting to no grade than I would with a poor outcome for a raw coin. It's sort of like losing the bird in the hand versus not catching the one in the bush.

Cal

 

I have used NCS a few times and have been very pleased with the outcome. I have a coulee of coins that I am going to submit to PCGS at the ANA show next week, so I'll have a comparison for reference.

 

that was couple, not couple.....darn spell check!!

 

not coolie..

 

So I just got the results of the coins which were serviced by NCS and I have to say I am very pleased with the results. About 70% increased in grade by up to two points and they do look noticeably better across the board after conservation, in my opinion anyway. I should receive them back in a couple of days and will try and post some before and after pics. Thanks again everyone for all your input!

 

Little before and after conservation from NCS on my 1914CNB 20K Russian coin. Night and Day there!

 

I sent in some rare proofs to NCS on the 5th. We'll see how they come out. Unfortunately, I don't have any before photos.

 

Let us know how they do.

 

Yes, they do perform conservation on ancients. I often check "conservation" on the submission form. They will decline to perform conservation on about 75% of the coins I submit. Probably for some of the reasons noted above. Some of the coins I submit are pretty fragile, and NGC won't even slab them. However, when they receive a coin that they feel is a good candidate, the result has always been excellent. The conservation usually bumps the coin up from an XF to AU, etc. They have not charged me much for conserving the coins that they have done and the added value of a better grade more than compensates for the price. As far as negative experiences go, I haven't had any coins go south after they worked on them, and they have performed all of the conservation while they have the coin, not after I get it back. Sometimes they even call and ask permission, but, as I said, I check the conservation box for coins I think could use it, at the time of my submission.

 

I would like to believe that

 

Wow, wonder what they used?

 

Conservation on ancients is very different from conservation on modern coins. I wonder how they do it.

 

I wonder too. Tricky, tricky....

 

Following up, the coins came back in incredible condition and all made top-pop. Well worth it.

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This. If they were mine, I'd happily "settle" for MS-66/MS-67.