What was once called "coin doctoring" has been upgraded over the years to "numismatic conservation." When done carefully by experienced professionals, it's usually a good
thing, such as with Bob Evans' conservation of the recovered S.S. Central America coins.
Where once we had back-alley coin butchers we now have paid professionals with web sites. Which finally brings me around to my point. I happened across the Numismatic Conservation Services page on
the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) web site, and was very impressed with the graphic design. Check it out at the link below. As you scroll down the page the image of a Standing Liberty Quarter
transitions from tarnished to pristine to slabbed. Here are some still screenshots. -Editor