Coming from the US coin side, I am unsure quite how to put this so bear with me please...... I had the Chi-Rho below placed in a bezel as a necklace for my wife a year ago. The Chi-Rho is an image used throughout our church and now she won't take the necklace off. But I noticed this last weekend that the coin appears dried out, porous and somewhat lifeless. I am guessing from being in constant contact with her clothes. The photo below was before I had it mounted and the piece had a lovely sheen. Disregard that there is a quarter underneath. I used this photo when sizing the piece for a bezel.... Is there a product that is used to impart a sheen into these ancient coins?
There are wax like products like RenWax that might do what you want but for the purpose of making a ruined coin, never to be removed from the jewelry use, you might be as happy with clear nail polish. Most people here will think of that as an unforgivable sin but I,m glad your wife likes the piece. Mine has had hers for years and the market for one sided coins is small compared to the enjoyment it has provided.
I agree 110%. My wife is like yours. I have given her thousand dollar gold necklaces that collect dust. She won't take off that Chi-Rho necklace though...... Now I am a weekend woodworker as well and have wax products in my woodshop. Would a simple beeswax correct my problem?
I’d recommend Renaissance Wax for coins like that. I believe beeswax has been used traditionally but may exhibit some issues in the long term, but I don’t really know enough to say.
Bronze coins can be difficult as pendants because of the sweat and such. Is the coin is a simple bezel, with the back side of the pendant open (the coin touching her skin)? In this case perhaps clear nail polish would be the best thing, applied after cleaning and thoroughly drying the coin. RenWax (petroleum distillates) is probably not a great thing to have in contact with skin. Who knows what metals are in that alloy too-- some might not be the friendliest things when mixed with sweat, oil, and skin. All the more reason to seal it. If clear nail polish is too shiny, perhaps beeswax on the front of the pendant and nail polish on the back would be good.
yes, renaissance wax, it does more than protect and revive furniture, leather, paintings, metals, marble, ivory, etc. I use it on all my ancient coins and antique metals for years and no problems yet!
I will mention that if you do woodworking, you probably have some linseed oil around. This is the oil used for oil paintings. I would think that this would penetrate better and, after being allowed to "dry" or air-cure for a couple of days would impart protection. Not sure what the knowledgeable people here in the ancients forum would say about this.
I have painted farm implements and other outdoor tools with linseed oil and it makes a very durable coating, even on (smooth) rusty surfaces. Of course, linseed oil was the standard hand rubbed finish for military gun stocks for many years. To improve the appearance of AE type coins, I often rub them on my nose. The skin oil makes them look much nicer, in my opinion.