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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;IanG, post: 3989192, member: 109252&quot;]I asked the British Museum this very question a couple of years ago. This was the reply from a senior conservator in the Ceramics, Glass and Metals Section of the Conservation Department:</p><p><br /></p><p><i>We no longer use Renaissance Wax on our metal antiquities as its presumed protective properties have been superseded by other materials, notably the range of Paraloid© acrylics. Also, some scientific investigations recommended to stop using it due to its particular ageing problems. It becomes hard to remove due to molecular crosslinking and there is the possibility that it may break down into acidic by products. All soft waxes can pick up dust and lint and sometimes there are problems from heat (e.g. from photographic lights or display lighting) where the wax melts&nbsp; slightly and adheres to or stains showcase linings.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>&nbsp; If the coins have any chemical problems, such as chlorides or ammonia/nitrate compounds from soil environments, a layer of wax will seal these in, allowing them to “stew in their own juice” until the problems becomes visible as crystals force their way out of the coin surface through the wax.</i></p><p><br /></p><p>Hope this helps.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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