NGC Chinese Numismatic Grading Workshop Educates

An NGC Chinese Numismatic Workshop organized by Champion Auction was held at the Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 in China on December 5th. Ken Krah, NGC Vice President and world coin Finalizer, made a presentation on NGC grading and NCS conservation. Three NGC consultants, King L. Chan, Peter Anthony and Zhang Yuequn, along with leading numismatic researchers, collectors and dealers Michael Chou, Robert Mish, Yuan Shuiqing, Yin Min, Jeffrey Wai, Wang Long, Adam Biagi, Rick Stelzer, Danny Spungen, Li Zhengting, Richard Guo and David Chio served as the panel of the workshop. Dr. Ulf Dräger, the curator of the Coin Department of the Moritzburg Halle (Saale) - Museum of Art of the State of Saxony-Anhalt where the Otto Beh Chinese coin dies will be donated to, was also present.

Founded in 1987, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) is the world’s largest coin grading service. Coins graded by NGC range from most world coins, vintage coins, modern coins, varieties to tokens and medals. NGC has certified 33 million coins including more than 1,000,000 Chinese coins. A consistent, accurate and independent grading standard makes NGC trusted worldwide. Many NGC graders have over 20 years of professional grading experience and no graders sell or buy coins commercially, nor grade their own coins.

The NGC holders are made from high-quality inert materials which can provide long-term preservation to coins. Certification by NGC adds confidence for both buyers and sellers. NGC grading has resulted in higher prices and more transactions. NGC has graded all three Chinese coins that have sold for more than US$1 million.

Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS), an affiliate of NGC, was founded in 2001 and became famous for its conservation of important shipwreck discoveries. Professional conservation from NCS, mainly including removal of harmful surface contaminants such as PVC residue, haze, and toning, enhances the eye appeal of a coin and stabilizes the surfaces and protects from future damage.

In the Q&A section, the attendees asked several questions which are concerns by many collectors. Ken Krah’s detailed explanations made NGC grading and NCS conservation better understood by collectors.

Before and after the workshop lunch, the attendees examined the 3rd Top Chinese Numismatic Exhibit from Otto Beh Company Patterns, the Singapore Collector’s Fund and NC Collection, which boast very rare Chinese vintage coins and banknote, all graded by NGC/PMG. Highlights include Chekiang 1897 50 Cents Silver Pattern, NGC MS 63; Republic 1916 Yuan Shi Kai 10 Dollars Gold, with L. Giorgi, NGC MS 63, finest of the 2 known; Republic 1929 Sun Yat Sen One Dollar Silver Pattern, NGC MS 65, highest graded; 1951 The People’s Bank of China 1st Print 10,000 Yuan (I II III1837965), “horse”, PMG AU 50, highest graded; Republic ND (1917) Li Yuan Hung Commemorative Copper Medal, NGC AU 55BN, extremely rare; Republic 1920 Nye Sze-Chung Commemorative Gilt Bronze Medal, NGC MS 64, extremely rare; Republic 1922 Wuchang Mint Copper Medal, NGC AU 58 BN, unique.

This is a guest article. The thoughts and opinions in the piece are those of their author and are not necessarily the thoughts of the Certified Collectibles Group.