Thoughts on NGC/NCS Conservation?

So I've recently made my first submission to NGC, sent in a collection of Russian Coins I have including several of the Y# 323 3 Rouble Ballet coins. They got back to me last night and said that several of them are "great candidates" and "could probably benefit" from NCS Conservation (at about $25 per coin). All are already receiving grades of MS66-MS67, so my question is has anyone had experience with NCS, and does anyone have any opinions of if the service could boost these grades? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

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Interesting concept. If it increases the eye appeal it can increase the grade. IMO

 

Fair enough, that seems to be the most common thing I'm seeing said on several forums. Coins were sealed in original mint plastic when I sent them tho, so I'm also half wondering what was even on them to be cleaned off

 

personally, if the coins will grade without conservation, grade them without.

I have had NCS "conserve" coins only to reveal an old cleaning and then send it back to me in a details slab marked "improperly cleaned"

 

I have limited experience with NGC and NCS. That being said, one time NGC gave me the same recommendation after they had slabbed my proof half dollar coin. After conservation, the proof coin was graded two points higher. We discussed it here at CT and it was most everyone's opinion that a bump of POSSIBLY 1 grade might have been expected.

It is always a roll of the dice (as GDJMSP stated). I suspect that a better looking & better conserved coin will be the result since NGC is recommending it.

Here is a 1909 nickel that was slabbed MS64 & came back 65 cameo after NCS.


I really can't complain about my experience with NCS.

 

Unless THEY improperly cleaned them.

 

No, I will give them credit... they uncovered an old cleaning on this coin. The thing that got me upset is that they then sent me a coin that was devoid of the nice toning that I had sent it in with, and that it now looked cleaned.

 

If it's not broken, don't fix it.

 

There is a difference between a newish coin in mint plastic that may have developed a slight haze from chemicals in the minting process, and a 100 year old coin that has been subjected to 100 environmental years. Both coins might reveal previously hidden issues.

Mike's old cleaning now retoned is an example of the latter.

Which is more likely is what you have to ask yourself and what are the rewards - including preventing further environmental deterioration.

You might call NGC to ask what they see and what the risks are.

 

Take the grades and call it a day. Unless I sent something in expecting that to be the recommendation I would want to see the coin back in hand before making a decision. One exception would be hazy moderns which is a simple fix.

 

IMO, NCS was/is a really good service; however, I have not used their services in quite a few years (that's why the "is"?). As you wrote, they sent a note that your coin could be conserved. Normally, they would not do this unless it was an "easy $25" and at least an upgrade. IMO, they should just call you while they have the coin.

If you do some research, there is one TPGS that would have called you and with your approval they would have "fixed" the "problem" of negative eye appeal on your coin for free.

Proofs especially are prone to spots and haze. These lower the coin's eye appeal/grade. Many knowledgeable dealers and collectors conserve their coins before submitting them; but it's best not to touch them if you are not proficient.

To the best of my knowledge, these coins are not expensive. It may be best to save the fee this time unless a grade jump will bring a lot more money.

 

You might go to youtube and search "numistacker". He sends a lot of modern world coins to NGC and some to NCS for conservation. You can see them before conservation in the grading submission videos and after in the grading return videos. Generally, he's been very pleased with the results.

Cal

 

Actually, it can be a losing situation for them. If enough coins come out of conservation with a lower grade or no grade, word will get around. "word" can be greatly magnified these days if enough folks with skills using forums, blogs, social media, etc. get motivated to push it. This bad publicity would not only decrease conservation business, it could have a negative impact on the much more important grading business.

Cal

 

This is 100% true. The incredibly small world that internet forums and social media have created make word of mouth immeasurably more powerful in any market than it used to be, and people tend to be much more vocal about bad experiences than good. In today's world, a bad experience is no longer something a few friends and neighbors hear about. Thousands can hear instantly in a single post, and it can come back to any business very quickly, good or bad. I have to believe that one of the larger TPG companies out there is not simply looking to "get" people and that Calcol is right in that if enough people were losing these bets, we'd hear more about it than I've seen...

 

I generally agree, but in the case of NCS I believe most people just say no

 

Also a definite possibility!

 

Does anyone know if NCS conserves ancient coins? If so does anyone have any experience with using them for ancients?