Have you ever lacquered your medals? The reason I ask is, I have a few 3" Presidential Medals. One I have has been lacquered at some point and it looks so good, I have thought about doing the others.
I have hundreds of bronze medals from the US, France, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and several private American mints. I've never seen or owned one that has been lacquered, and like coins, I would prefer to keep them in their original state. However, I would be interested in seeing specimens that have been lacquered. Could you post some photos? Chris
Personally, I think you would be making a mistake coating them with lacquer. Imagine looking at them 10, 15 or 20 years down the road and the lacquer has worn or chipped away in some places. Then, you would have to spend a lot of time dipping the medals to remove the old lacquer before applying a new coat. Why don't you just put them in AirTites? Chris
When you cover a coin with lacquer you have changed it's makeup. It's like dipping a silver coin. Now it's damaged and all original luster, sheen or shine is gone forever.
Most collectors and virtually all dealers I know would consider this damage, as it's done after the minting process. Generally speaking, it's a bad idea to do anything to preserve or protect coins & exonumia.
I have read where a hundred years ago it was common practice. It was done to preserve luster and color and many of those coins are the Mint State examples we see today, after removal of the lacquer in the last few decades. I don't know, I wasn't around then.
The old man used to use lacquer on wood, and it looked real good too. If that's what you want to do, Hommer, then by all means do so. After all, this is your collection. I don't see any harm in doing what pleases you.
No doubt it's mine. Somebody has done it before, I have evidence of that, but that guy is probably dead, seeing as that medal is over 80 years old. I just wanted to know if any of the guys that used to do it, or have seen it done were still around and if they thought it was a good idea now. I know what the one I have looks like in hand and its state of preservation is amazing compared to others. There is a litter mate to it pictured here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_half_dollar And there is quite a noticable difference.
