Antiquing coin conchos

[Beehive]

I need to order more Chicago screws. Ive narrowed down my antiquing methods for repeated results.

All coins pictured are US quarters 25cent. The one on the braided strap is without any antiquing.  The other two have it. It really brings out the detail of the coin. Verses washed out bright nickel, to where it looks like a plain domed disk. 

I used regular old silver solder meant for copper pipes.  I have never had a concho come apart or fall off using plumbing solder. 

 

 

Edited 15 hours ago by Beehive

[Mulesaw]

26 minutes ago, Beehive said:

I need to order more Chicago screws. Ive narrowed down my antiquing methods for repeated results.

All coins pictured are US quarters 25cent. The one on the braided strap is without any antiquing.  The other two have it. It really brings out the detail of the coin. Verses washed out bright nickel, to where it looks like a plain domed disk. 

I used regular old silver solder meant for copper pipes.  I have never had a concho come apart or fall off using plumbing solder. 

They look SO good!!

What do you use for antiquing? I am getting tempted to try it out based on those beautiful conchos you just made.

Brgds Jonas

[Beehive]

46 minutes ago, Mulesaw said:

They look SO good!!

What do you use for antiquing? I am getting tempted to try it out based on those beautiful conchos you just made.

Brgds Jonas

Thank You.

It's black oxide from overheating the coin. I used a propane torch on low. Cleaned with acetone before heating it (or your finger prints will get burned in). Heat it with the flame. Removing the flame to see how dark it has become. It won't change color until you remove the flame. It'll continue to look bright as it's heated.

 It's a fairly durable finish. Not easy to remove. 

Once it's done and cooled off. The rear of the coin is cleaned bright and a Chicago screw is soldered to the back. It takes less heat to melt the solder then it does to blacking it. I used a rag and Simichrome to polish the high spots. Leaving the oxide in all the little crevices.

Edited 14 hours ago by Beehive

[Beehive]

Here's the same treatment on a dollar coin. It's nowhere near as dark but it does bring out detail.

 

 

[AlZilla]

Very interesting. Another thing on my list to try...