Apparently it was once relatively common for collectors of ancients to coat their coins in some form of lacquer or varnish. I recently acquired such a specimen at a very low price, mostly as a curiosity. It is a Republican semis, which has been cleaned quite harshly (although it looks like it has toned somewhat since then), and came from the estate of a collector and dealer. In hand it is a very shiny (not captured well in the photo), slick coin that has a unique feel in hand, far more than something coated with Ren Wax. By no means is this something I think is good or particularly attractive, but it's an interesting relic, at any rate. I imagine that the lacquer could be removed and produce a more attractive coin, particularly in regards to the white splotchiness on the front (I thought that was glue or something at first, but I now suspect it is just uneven application of the lacquer, or peeling?). Has anyone else ever encountered such a coin? Roman Republic Semis Obv: Saturn facing right, 'S' behind Rev: Prow of ship right, 'S' above, 'ROMA' below Crawford 56/3, 25mm, minted at Rome after 211 BC
Looks more like somebody cleaned it with brasso and didn't remove it completely afterwards. Here's mine, shiny, probaly wax coated, but looks OK to me.
I got this coin from a CNG auction and no mention of a coating of any sort, it's not Ren Wax, looks like a matt varnish of some sort and not real noticeable, but I think it should have been mentioned in sales garbel.
@Andres2 I can see why waxing might help a coin like that. I realize that is sacrilege to some people, but I can understand why it is done to coins with rougher surfaces, since it can help bring out a lot of detail by giving them a 'wet' appearance. It should be mentioned in descriptions, though. Now I wonder whether the coin I got was lacquered or the product of a misguided cleaning attempt. I'm still not certain whether I'd remove it or just leave it as a curiosity, since it isn't the highest grade coin anyway. It also came with this tag, which is not even for this coin (although the references used make me think it is quite old):
I have a follis of Fausta that is from an old collection which has a thick coating of lacquer. I can't get a good picture of it because it's so glossy. Not as pitted in hand but I suspect that's why it was coated http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-67364
Modern lacquers available in hardware chain stores or walmart type is usually epoxy based as compared to the old insect shell based lacquer that is only found in restorers or artist supplies. Acetone nor any common 'gentle' solvent will remove the modern stuff and can make uglies. I have even tried DMSO on some newly lacquered coins and no go, just roughened the surface a little.
Lacquers were common and I still find coins with it. Often not specified and often the seller has no idea what was applied to the coin. I use acetone to remove it. Removing lacquer can sometimes darken a coin. At least I have seen this happen occasionally. I have never re-laquered a coin but have applied verdicare, renwax, and/or coin care. Lacquers likely keep the coin from toning more and I think it was/is used to prevent vergis which can reek havoc on an uncared for collection. I prefer verdicare to prevent verges and further toning, I like coin care for those coins I would like to tone a bit more but sometimes use ren wax which I have noticed sometimes darkens coins upon use. All three can bring out details that can be more tough to see than without.
I once won a small lot of tetrarchic-era nummi in an online auction. When I received the coins, I discovered that they had all been covered with black shoe polish to conceal their bright, shiny surfaces. I was not amused.
