Anyone have experience with NCS' conservation services ? One question I have is what constitutes "harshly" cleaned ? It seems many things they do would effect the surface layer of the metal, and I thought that was a no-no.
Harshly cleaned might be defined as cleaning that can be detected. On well circulated coins it might be scratches or fine lines on the surface of the coin. On MS coins it would be the lack of mint luster. The point is this, a coin can be dipped and that is not considered to be harsh cleaning because you can't tell that it was dipped if it is done properly - except by common sense and reason. But clean the same coin using a cloth and an abrasive cleanser - and you can see it in a New York second.
I've used NCS many times with overall excellent results. I'd say I've been happy with the results 95% of the time. You do need to be SPECIFIC as to what you want done.
I was going to ask about this very topic. I have seen several ads recently for NCS and, at least their ads are amazing. I haven't seen their results "in person". Are you saying then that if "conservation" is done properly, that it cannot be detected and the coin would appear to an expert as if it were original?
thanks for clarifying. this leads me to my next question; how does one differentiate between proper and improper cleaning.
Improperly cleaned coins will usually show remnants of the cleaning process - moved metal (hairlines), muted luster, off color, etc. Properly cleaned coins will never show moved metal and ideally the luster will be fine and the color will look natural. Basically, it will be a light removal of unwanted surface debris (toning, gunk, etc) that leaves the coin looking natural.
that's great...that original dirty/crusty toning looks like garbage... i should start submitting my set to NCS. or would it be cheaper to conserve them myself?
Now c'mon CPD, you know as well as I do that there coins that should not be touched and there are coins that need to be conserved to prevent damage. Even toning, if left to go too far will turn into corrosion and damage the coin.
i wish i could find more clean coins like this one. they are getting really hard to find in this pretty shiny state...this one is very well preserved. pcgs vf-20 1799 bust dollar http://cgi.ebay.com/1799-PCGS-VF-20...ryZ11976QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem nowadays everyone sells darkly toned coins or coins with fake rainbow toning [which is still 100x better than dark brown silver coins]. this ncs company will be a great asset to the hobby..where do i sign up.
Link, http://cgi.ebay.com/1799-PCGS-VF-20...yZ1197 6QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem However, not a coin I'd buy...