Conservation Showcase: Spanish Netherlands 1673 1/2 Pat
Posted on 12/5/2011
A recent example from our conservation laboratory.
Conserving coins made before the modern machine age can present itself with some unique challenges. Irregularities within the physical shape of the coins, which are the regularity, create special challenges for the conservator as do irregularities in the metallic make up.
This ½ Pat issued in the Spanish Netherlands in 1673 in Brabant/Antwerp was recently submitted to NCS to have the thick green residues removed from the reverse. This coin was issued in what is today Northern Belgium. The irregular surfaces and sharp edges of this coin provided for challenges in conservation not faced when conserving modern style coinage. The conservators with NCS faced the test and were able to successfully remove the potentially damaging residue and leave the coin with a natural look. This coin was able to grade numerically with NGC following the conservation work.
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