What is it with waxed copper?

MidLifeCrisis

Waxing copper is a fairly common method of "enhancing" a coin - some might even call it conserving - in an effort to get a higher grade.

I unknowingly bought a waxed Virginia Halfpenny a few years ago from a respected, well-known dealer. At the time, I really could not tell that anything had been done to the coin. It can be very deceptive. Another dealer pointed out what I had and bought it from me because he had customers who didn't mind waxed coins.

I recently expressed interest in 4-5 coins only to learn that they had been waxed. These were otherwise very desirable coins that I would have wanted in my collection.

I passed on all of them.

I understand there are people who don't mind wax, lacquer, etc. on copper...in fact, many like their copper that way. As my sig line says, collect what you like. But, in a hobby where many claim that originality is important, why is waxed copper so prevalent?

crazyhounddog

I have never heard this this practice....... I've heard of waxing a surf board..

lkeigwin

Hmm...I have a few hundred MS Lincolns, IHC's and circulated early copper and I have yet to encounter waxing. What am I doing wrong? Nothing prevalent over here.
Lance.

Lakesammman

I really could not tell that anything had bee done to the coin

Pun intended (bee's wax)??

I don't THINK I care for it. On the other hand, I might not have noticed it before on coins that I thought attractive........lacquer is a turn off, for sure.

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>I really could not tell that anything had bee done to the coin

Pun intended (bee's wax)??

I don't THINK I care for it. On the other hand, I might not have noticed it before on coins that I thought attractive........lacquer is a turn off, for sure. >>


Ha! I edited the OP. Sometimes the "n" sticks on my keyboard.

And yes, the dark, wet, shiny look of lacquered copper is also a big turn off for me.

GrumpyEd

I think a bath in acetone will cure it.

Hussulo

Speaking from a British perspective.

Sometimes wax was used to make a cast, the cast taken was used to produce illustrations. It was used up until about 1950.

The wax used is either red or has a purple tinge.

ricko

Are you sure they were waxed? I have looked at a lot of copper, from reputable dealers, and not encountered this - yet. Next time try to get an SEM done... that will tell you exactly what you are dealing with. Cheers, RickO

notwilight

Are you sure the dealer wasn't trying to buy these coins cheap?

Lots of copper is oiled....is that what he meant?

--Jerry

PerryHall

<< <i>Are you sure the dealer wasn't trying to buy these coins cheap?

Lots of copper is oiled....is that what he meant?

--Jerry >>



Good point. It's easy to strip off the wax or lacquer with acetone and then to oil the coins.

coindeuce

My understanding of the use of wax on copper is that it was an accepted method of non-invasive conservation at a time when chemical products like Blue Ribbon and Care did not exist. I've only ever seen it on copper coins that have come from old collections - sets that have been off the market for at least 40 years.

notwilight

<< <i>My understanding of the use of wax on copper is that it was an accepted method of non-invasive conservation at a time when chemical products like Blue Ribbon and Care did not exist. I've only ever seen it on copper coins that have come from old collections - sets that have been off the market for at least 40 years. >>



And that's a negative? NOT.

coindeuce

The only negative here is your assumption that I posed the practice as a negative. I made no such inference.

PerryHall

<< <i>

<< <i>My understanding of the use of wax on copper is that it was an accepted method of non-invasive conservation at a time when chemical products like Blue Ribbon and Care did not exist. I've only ever seen it on copper coins that have come from old collections - sets that have been off the market for at least 40 years. >>



And that's a negative? NOT. >>



If the grading services bodybag waxed coins, that's a negative.

coindeuce

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>My understanding of the use of wax on copper is that it was an accepted method of non-invasive conservation at a time when chemical products like Blue Ribbon and Care did not exist. I've only ever seen it on copper coins that have come from old collections - sets that have been off the market for at least 40 years. >>



And that's a negative? NOT. >>



If the grading services bodybag waxed coins, that's a negative. >>



I agree. I just haven't observed anywhere in the OP about an issue with having had coins rejected by a TPG, wether the wax remained or otherwise.

Zoins

<< <i>My understanding of the use of wax on copper is that it was an accepted method of non-invasive conservation at a time when chemical products like Blue Ribbon and Care did not exist. I've only ever seen it on copper coins that have come from old collections - sets that have been off the market for at least 40 years. >>

Thanks for posting coindeuce. It's always good to learn something new!

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>My understanding of the use of wax on copper is that it was an accepted method of non-invasive conservation at a time when chemical products like Blue Ribbon and Care did not exist. I've only ever seen it on copper coins that have come from old collections - sets that have been off the market for at least 40 years. >>


This old-time use of wax that you describe certainly may be true...but the waxing that I'm talking about is a modern-day activity.

notwilight

<< <i>The only negative here is your assumption that I posed the practice as a negative. I made no such inference. >>



No, I wasn't inferring that you meant it negatively. Just trying to make conversation. --Jerry

relicsncoins

Is it a Brazillian wax or something else?

jmdm1194

<< <i>I have never heard this this practice....... I've heard of waxing a surf board.. >>

magikbilly

Waxing would alter the refractive index making the think look darker or wetter or richer...and it would also help reduce any problems from moisture I suppose. One could infer waxing would make a bad recolor take longer to change and reveal itself since it essentially seals the recolor job.

Best,
Eric