NNP

Yellow-bronze Finish.  An oxidized and relieved finish of bronze often used for bronze medals of the 20th century. It is a light colored brown finish and is the easiest to perform of all the patina finishes producing a highlighted effect. It should be lacquered, if not it would tone or darken in time; even so residual toning does occur under the lacquer and is noticeable several years after it has been finished. The dark toning is natural and if too unattractive the piece may be refinished to a more pleasing patina. The term "yellow-bronze" was derived, perhaps, from yellow brass (but it does not resembles the golden brass color). The term is used by numismatists to describe the light brown medal finish on 20th century U.S. Mint medals (at least on all such medals made by the Philadelphia Mint after 1910). This was in contrast to the mahogany finish that the mint employed for the last half of the 19th century for all its bronze medals. The metal industry does not use this term but it is the equivalent to glossy light finish that is used by metal manufacturers on bronze objects. The two processes for producing this finish are nearly identical. It is considered a "quick and easy" process and not very exotic for fine art medals. See finish and finishing.

Zapon Lacquer.  Tradename of a high-quality clear lacquer. See lacquer.

CLASS 09.1

7945-(029)05.4           Illus: Photos

excerpted with permission from

An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology

For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators

COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON

Roger W. Burdette, Editor