Waxing Yes or No?

Why exactly??
I have many LRBs that most would not consider collectible... I love them..I have cleaned them, attributed them and learned much from them - but they have a "dry", chalky patina. If you have ever cleaned LRBs you know the type... you can see some better detail when the coin is wet during cleaning... once it dries you lose some detail. Adding the wax brings it back out. I love it and use it when it will enhance a coin. Not always but sometimes.
I also bake the coin prior to remove any moisture.. so far so good.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Thanks to all for the answers. Greatly appreciated.

 

Another response form the British Museum, the person responding being the senior conservation person charged with the responsibility for the care of coins. Apparently the term micro-crystalline is not known there. I wrote back with the trade name of the product and what coin collectors, especially collectors of ancients might use it for. Again I'll let readers know what the response to this might be. I am impressed with the Museum's quick response to this query.

 

Thanks for doing this legwork Kevin. Given how often Ren Wax trumpets the British Museum use in promotional materials, it would be very interesting indeed to see if the statements are accurate, at least with respect to BM coin cabinets.

 

Another reply from the British Museum, the Senior Conservator, Conservation, Collective Care at the British Museum. The Senior Conservator writes that when this person first started in the 1970's , micro-crystalline wax was used on a variety of objects and states that they made the items look more attractive, giving their colors a darker and more intensive look, a mellow sheen. The Conservator goes on to write that time has moved on, that the wax attracts and traps dirt and fluff, especially on porous items, leaves marks on show case linings, is difficult to remove, and that the only current usage for microcrystalline wax in conservation the conservator has heard of is on external metallic sculpture where it is used to waterproof castings and give protection against bird droppings, etc.

Nothing on its use on coins is specifically mentioned by the Conservator. The Conservator also cited some other material which says pretty much the same thing except that polyethylene wax can be problematic but I don't know anything about that material and whether it is marketed by any firm for numismatic use. As a matter of fact, other than postings here and or other coin collecting cites, I can't recall any product manufacturer recommending the use of their product for preserving numismatic items. I am wondering if coin collectors just assumed that a micro-crystalline product that was good for armor or weapons or outdoor statues would work well on coins and medals.

Would I use it on my ancient coins? Probably not on anything of considerable value because of potential removal problems later on. But at the same time I must admit that on common coins of lesser value, it may improve the appearance of what otherwise might be coins of little aesthetic or collectable value, and if used on coins that are common, like Fourth Century Falling Horseman or Fel Temp Reparatio AE 3's, in public displays of ancient coinage like a montage for school usage, or libraries, it might be useful in making coins that are difficult to see more aesthetically viewable.

 

Thanks for that Kevin. An interesting bit of information, and I concur with your observations about the context for use.

that seems to correspond, albeit in a more sophisticated way, with my point about wax residue on the inside of my flips.

 

And as a longhaired cat owner, I can attest to the attracting the odd hair or fluff (when first applying it).

 

Just how long *is* your hair, Justin?

 

If your waxed coins are attracting fuzz or dust then you are just putting too much on. A very tiny amount of Renwax goes a loooong way! I've never had it leave residues or marks on the trays I store my coins in. I've never had any trouble removing it. Lacquer thinner and other solvents do the trick. I generally use it on sestertius coins that have been cleaned down to the bare metal sometime in the past and have weak or artificial patinas. These patinas can be fragile and sometimes scratch or wear easily with handling. I prefer to protect them.

Think about how much crap some ancient coins have on them. Think of the accumulation of pollution from candles and fireplaces throughout hundreds of years.
The oils from countless fingers. Some have been laquered or even rubbed down with animal fats. Who hasn't put olive oil on a coin? I can't begin to predict how Renwax will react to differently aged surfaces with variable porosity. Maybe Renwax is just another fad in a long history of crackpot coin preserving techniques but there are certainly worse things that can be done to a coin.

 

Since a wax never "dries" or cures, that would be expected. I still wonder about linseed oil which cures to a hard plastic.

 

For someone without access to a lab to use more advanced techniques, I think that microcrystalline wax is a useful tool for preventing bronze disease etc. I wouldn't apply it to every coin, but if it improves the appearance or protects it from the elements, then sure. As someone else pointed out, if it's attracting dust or lint, then you're applying too much.

I suspect that it would also be superior to organics like linseed oil. Even if that hardens, as an organic it would be more prone to decomposition and change over time, as with beeswax.

 

Microcrystalline wax IS an organic.

 

Fair point, I suppose that anything petroleum derived is technically organic. Perhaps ‘refined’ would’ve been a better terminology. It should be less prone to breaking down than a ‘natural’ wax or oil. Not much of a chemist, as you may have noticed I've just read about beeswax and carnauba applied to coins degrading and becoming hazy over time.