Advice Please - Life Back Into A Chi-rho

My background is US coins where manipulation of a coin’s surface is a serious taboo…… Some years back I purchased this Chi-Rho specifically to create a necklace for my wife. The Chi-Rho image is prominent in our church’s theme and was an image she was fond of….. When I purchased the piece it had life to it. Now when she wears the necklace it just looks like a lump of rust. Is there a product that you guys use to create a sheen on these ancient coins?

 

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what is it made of, and will it always be kept as jewelry for your wife?

 

I believe it is bronze and it will be jewelry as long as we are around.

 

Personally I would just wash it using distilled water, then I would just proceed up the ladder doing whatever it would take to long nice since it is to remain as jewelry even if ( I hope not) had to go to brasso. The important thing here is for her to like to wear it.

 

When surfaces are dry from a soak in distilled water, a lot of ancient collectors (and dealers) use renaissance wax. It gives a more lustrous appearance, keeps out moisture and helps to protect from minor scratches. I am sure there are posts in the archives here about the subject.

 

that’s the ticket. I have heard talk of that product on here before. Thank you.

 

If it is bronze, and you are always going to use it as jewelry, and you just want it to shine up a bit, I recommend Brasso. It is a grime remover and polish. NOT for coins, but great for jewelry, belt buckles, antique copper kettles, and the like.

 

I've used this many times on different coins. Mostly copper, brass and bronze. Most of what I used it on was for my Metal detecting finds. To protect the patina and just the overall look of the coin or relic.
I bought mine on Amazon and it comes in different size containers. Here are two items that I used it on :

 

I use Ren Wax. Here is one of mine before and after. Of course I am a real beginner.

 

When you do clean it up and make it shine for her be sure to remove from the bezel do you can do a better job of polishing it up. Then after it’s washed and throughly dried put it back in the bezel. Brasso and Renaissance Wax are the best items that I know of.

 

@Randy Abercrombie if you use Ren Wax you should use a Q Tip and a gentile scrubbing motion. Then a soft cloth to polish. Some experts use a Dremel with a soft cotton attachment.

Good luck and let us see the finished work.

 

Since this is "ancient" and you are not intending for it to be anything numismatic, using Brasso and Renwax seems good, you could also use eZest and I have experimented with using linseed oil and it seems to work for a coating also. The main caveat here would be to rinse off/neutralize the Brasso or eZest before sealing the coin. LOTS of water and a soap/detergent would not be amiss as long as you thoroughly RINSE it. Let us see how it looks when you finish...PS take it out of the bezel first. If the bezel doesn't come off, rinse becomes more important.

 

Ok… So don’t shoot me….. I have ordered my Ren-wax and after seven years in the Army I certainly am well acquainted with the use of Brasso…. Both are ordered and on the way. In the meantime, I did soak and worked the piece over with some paste wax that I have in my woodshop and the appearance is quite improved. I’ll rework the piece when the Brasso and Ren-wax get here….. Thanks everyone:

 

What is on the other side?

 

I can show you the portrait. Couldn’t tell you which ruler h is.

 

Looks like Jim Thorpe to me.

 

Do you know which emperor it is?
The large chi-rho types of Magnentius, Decentius and Constantius II

 

It does. My first thought was fat Elvis.

 

No sir I do not.

 

Can you make out the first three letters on the portrait side? They should be DNM, DNC or DND.