Removing wax from bronze coin

Hello to everyone. I got a bronze coin covered in some kind of wax (Renaissance wax?). It smells like an old storehouse and is a kinda waxy in the touch. Is there any way to remove it?

 

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Try soaking it in acetone.

 

Like the one that the women use for they nails?

 

In my experience that wax you mentioned dries to a rock-hard finish and does not feel waxy. I would not soak a bronze coin in any kind of cleaner or acid. If it is real wax, I might try immersing it in hot water (not boiling) for a minute or so which will soften up any real wax. Some of it will actually float off at that temperature and the rest should be removable with a soft towel and some LIGHT, Gentle, wiping. Be careful with bronze coins. It is very easy to ruin the surface of such coins. If you do try anything at all please tell us how it worked out

 

I agree with you. I am always hesitant to use any kind of corrosive liquid on a coin. I will try this and I will post the results.

 

I like Kevin's suggestion. Warming vs. Heating a coin (low-slow temperature rise). Controlled. Dab to remove the wax/dry.

 

Acetone doesn't hurt the coin or surfaces. People used to lacquer coins and I have used acetone often to remove it.

 

It didn't do anything. The wax remains on top. It is really strange, as I tried with heated distilled water and also with a hair dryer. It is quite strange.

 

Here some photos of the patient.

 

That's the acetone, but you can find pure acetone and cheaper in stores. I get it here in the chemicals department in the supermarket, in 1 liter recipients, for less than 5 EUR / bottle.
If the "wax" is smelly and waxy, is not renaissance wax. Ren wax will harden and will not smell.
Acetone would most probably work on your wax. You need to soak the coin. Pay attention that acetones dissolves some plastics and evaporates easily, so work in a ventilated area and keep your nose away from it.
Acetone will not remove ren wax.

 

I think pure acetone (not nail polish remover - too weak and smelly) should do the job in removing the wax or resin. Acetone is a powerful solvent and it will not affect the bronze. It must be used only in a well ventilated area and away from any source of combustion.

However, you need to be prepared to a change in the appearance of the coin after it emerges from the acetone bath. The surface might dull somewhat, reflecting the likely original surface.

 

There is one other 'problem' you may encounter. Acetone will also remove some types of 'filler' materials used to make rough pitted junk into smooth high dollar gems. You may discover something that you did not know and not be happy.

 

And the acetone could also remove any loose dirt or encrusted material adhering to the wax or resin. That could expose other subsurface conditions, such as pitting and corrosion.

That happened when I removed the resin covering an Athenian tetradrachm, but only to a minor degree, and the underlying surface was smooth and a dark grey, fortunately.

 

Somewhat off the subject, but maybe not. Has anyone seen a coin that was treated with a thin layer of clear UVepoxy resin? I have used some to mount some stones in a very questionable setting, and it becomes almost invisible but hard and feels slick to the skin. It has a sheen similar to the coins solution, and it won't come off with acetone once catalyzed with uv. Helps hold plastic parts on cars that came too close to obstructions. Jim

 

The condition of that coin looks absolutely fine, why would anyone coat it in any kind of wax? I have only ever applied very thin layers of wax to some of my bad coins that needed sealing to prevent inevitable corrosion. I guess some people just wax coins out of habit or something? I have seen similar practice in museums with metal artefacts.

 

One of the reasons - to worry less about the storage and handling - the topic you just opened. You will finds lots or pros and cons against waxing on the other topics.

 

I understand. You see I only spent a small amount of money for this one, like 15 euros or something like this. It doesn't really matter to me the result. Though I don't understand what kind of material could enhance the surface without being visible. How does a coin look like with this material on it? What kind of material is it?

 

People use various fillers and paints on coins. Kinda like using Bondo to repair an old car. They'll fill holes, smooth the surface and rebuild details like lost lettering or hair with something like epoxy or some sort of resin, then paint or repatinate over it, or sometimes mix the paint into the filler material. You should always be on the lookout for such things when collecting bronzes. There are plenty of good coins out there, but lots of doctored ones too.

 

You are right. I am always aware of tooled bronzes, even if it is not my specialty on my collection and if I buy one I never invest a lot of money on them.

 

If it will not come off with very warm water, it's not wax, not bee's wax, anyway.