I have a pair of rare Gordian III, RIC 172 (b) double strike error coins. They are a perfect die match, including the errors. One is in excellent condition while the other looks like hell. It has lamination on the obverse and silver sulphide oxidation on the obverse and reverse. I am considering sending the coin to NCS (NGC) https://www.ngccoin.com/ncs-conservation/ to see if they can "conserve" it, at the very least stabilize the metal to keep it from oxidizing any further. What do you guys think, leave it alone or try to conserve it? Ugly Coin: Pretty Coin:
I'd clean if it just had that dark horn silver, but the fabric itself is peeling away, so i wouldn't attempt anything with it or it could end up being 'tooled'.
I agree, and I think any attempt to remove the horn silver, which appears quite thick might reveal corrosion underneath it, which would make matters worse. I've never dealt with NCS. Is the coin rare enough to warrant NCS services?
Thanks for sharing the NCS link, I hadn't looked at their services before. (Though I saw them doing shipwreck coins on a tv show once.) The big question is whether that's just a huge de-lamination across Gordian's face (and the field under his chin). I doubt they can do anything about that, but maybe I'm wrong. If they just use thiosulfate or another chemical dip to remove the black crusty stuff, they're going to strip all the toning. This coin won't look good bright. (Unless the stuff I'm seeing as lamination goes away somehow. I mean, it's an "error coin," so it doesn't have to beautiful, I think it looks fine for what it is.) Personally, I would think the best thing for it would be some very skilled mechanical cleaning (probably with some chemical help) to remove the black crusty stuff. But that would take a long time and cost a lot more than what they're listing for prices on their website. I didn't vote because I could see it going either way, but I imagine it would be more involved & expensive than their basic listed services.
NCS is the preservation / restoration branch of NGC. They are the best certified company to do any type of coin restoration. Many high-end dealers and auction houses use them. I do believe the coin is rare and unique enough to warrant restoration. NCS inspects all coins and will let you know if they recommend restoration. As you stated this coin may not be a candidate due to the lamination issue.
Yes it can get expensive, that is if they even choose to restore it. But I have a $150 voucher that I got when I became a member so I need to use it before December. I personally hate graded coins but I use there grading service for my bullion coins as people are really suspicious about ungraded ones.
