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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
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for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Need a Protective Coating for a Gold Coin
Q. I am mounting a 1/10 US gold Eagle in a piece of wood for display. Have used a forstner but for exact fit of the coin. Taped the hole and finished the piece of wood, removed the tape to assure a bond between the wood and coin. The coin sits about 1/8 - 1/16 of an inch below the surface and I will use an epoxy to adhere the coin to the wood. I have a number of enameled silver bars that have a clear protective coat. Looks likes the coating was poured. Would like to apply the same to my project to keep the coin protected. Does anyone have any idea what I should use?
Thanks in advance.
hobbyist - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA
2003
A. Hi Steve. Unlike silver, pure gold does not actually require any tarnish protection system because it will not tarnish. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003
A. If you want to seal it under a layer because you like the way it looks (like he said, it doesn't need corrosion protection), you can use crystal clear casting polyurethane Casting Resin [affil links] . As the names suggests, its crystal clear and it does not yellow with age/exposure to UV light. Been awhile since I've bought some but I think it runs $75-ish a gallon and you can get it in pint sizes.
Jason Aube- Flint, Michigan
2003
A. Are you nuts? don't even think about using adhesives, fillers, etc. on a gold or silver coin unless you want to reduce its value to melt.
ARTHUR STANIELS- QUEENS COUNTY, New York
2003
No, I'm not nuts Arthur. I'm pulling the gold eagle from my coin collection, which is quite extensive. Understand the loss of the coin value but gold eagle works so well with the project. Thanks so much Jason, will take your advice. Just don't want the coin scratched or damaged once it has been mounted. Ted - appreciate your response. What a great resource!
- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA
2003
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