Pre/Post Ren Wax What do you think?

So I cleaned up this Valentinian II AE and noticed that it showed more details when it was wet than when it was dry. I read about ren wax and decided to give it ago. What do you guys think? Better? Worse? The same?

Valentinian II AE3.
DN VALENTINIANVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
GLORIA RO-MANORVM, Emperor walking right dragging captive with right hand and holding labarum in left.

Pre Wax

Post Wax


I unfortunately can't make out the mint but am assuming Sisicia since that's where the majority of my coins are from. Any idea of the mark to the right of the labarum? It looks like a "D" to me but could be something else.

 

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Some improvement with the after.

Still yet to try the stuff and haven't been in a rush too.

 

quite an improvement

 

It's obvious in the "After" that a substance has been applied to the coin. That being said, it's definitely easier to read the legends than on the "Before" image.

 

I think I may have used a bit too much. I rubbed it in a bit more after taking the picture so it doesn't have those wet looking spots.

 

I've used it on several coins. The first day is usually darker and wetter looking then it will change a bit. I just try to make sure the coins are 100% dry before using it so not to trap water on the coin.

 

I guess the ancients are own their own with this product. It's chemical makeup seems neutral to damage causes, but it does enhance the visual aspects beyond what is natural appearance, and the instructions say to rub it on the surface which would cause some modern's collectors to scream. Many years ago I received a group of higher priced modern coins with this or similar wax on it, and since TPGs were not yet born, I thought the seller was trying to cover some damage or discoloration on the coin, so I rejected them to his anger. Back in the old "open flip and you bought it " days this was the way. I shy away from any coin, modern or 1000 yr old that has liquid shine on the surface. Jim

 

After waxing the coin, I think it would probably be fine to give it a buffing to take off excess wax. Has anyone ever heard of using linseed oil on coins?

 

I like it - brings out detail for sure...
the first is the sellers pic - so not exactly apples to apples.. but it made a big
difference with this coin..

 

i use verdi-care on mine and they are glossy and seems to me details show better, but it only stays that way for a short time then goes back to the way it was, but with a coat on.. i see nothing wrong with the renwax. it does make the details show thru better and to me it's an improvement, but i[ve heard the wax goes yellow after a time...

 

I always heat the coin first to remove any moisture... also while the coin is hot the wax is very easy to apply. I then let it cool/dry and give it a quick buff with a soft cloth to "shine" it up.
As for yellowing - I have never seen this.. but it is easy to wash off and re-apply if this happens. I see no downside and will use it on most bronze coins.
But to each his own.

 

Anyone use linseed oil?

 

I'm very careful with what I put on coins. I don't know much about linseed oil so I've never used it. For bronze coins I've used oil oil to help remove residual gunk and the start of corrosion (with great results) . For ancients only ren wax.

 

Looks like an improvement to me! I'd bet the coin could have benefited from some extra manual cleaning but it looks good.

RenWax is 20% Micro-crystalline wax mixed with 80% naptha, neither of which will turn yellow on their own to my knowledge but the nonpolar Naptha could certainly dissolve and draw-out old nasty rancid natural oils applied previously that have turned yellow.

 

Beats the olive oil soak. I find this darkens the late roman bronze coins and makes them more difficult to see. I like your results.

 

I'm still working on the manual cleaning aspect. I'm worried about damaging the coins.

 

It is kind of scary...

 

Linseed oil is what is called a "drying oil" such is used in "oil paints". They cure on exposure to air and make a plastic coating. I thought the oil would flow to fill in the porosity and then the cure would give a good protective coating. I'm trying it a bit.

 

Let me know how it turns out

 

I second that. I'm interested in seeing your results.