Preserving History: Expert Conservation Techniques for George Soley Medals and Medallettes

I’ve Witnessed History Fade: A Conservator’s Heartfelt Appeal

After thirty years preserving 19th-century numismatic treasures, nothing breaks my spirit like seeing a George Soley medal robbed of its original luster through well-intentioned mistakes. These aren’t mere tokens – they’re physical echoes of America’s industrial revolution and the Barber engraving dynasty. That 1882 William Penn Lord’s Prayer medallette gathering dust in your cabinet? The Brooklyn Bridge commemorative with its miraculously preserved mint state surfaces? They’re living testaments to the visionary who operated the U.S. Mint’s first steam coining press. Let’s ensure their numismatic value endures for the next generation of collectors.

Know Your Foes: The Enemies of Historic Metal

Toning: Beauty or Beast?

Ah, toning – the collector’s blessing and curse! Soley’s bronze and silver pieces (like his celebrated 1889 Brooklyn Bridge medal) often develop those coveted rainbow patinas we all admire. This natural sulfide reaction occurs when metal meets sulfur in the air or storage materials. But here’s the rub: The hair-thin engraved text on his Lord’s Prayer medals (some letters barely 0.2mm tall!) can vanish beneath unbalanced toning. Keep your magnifier handy and watch for:

• Black sulfidation spotting on bronze Pennsylvania Cabinet store cards
• Blistery blue-green outbreaks on silver pieces like the “God and Our Country” Washington medal
• Uneven rainbow patterns – telltale signs of environmental mood swings

Oxidation: The Silent Metal Murderer

Unlike artistic toning, red/brown oxidation is a death sentence for metal. Soley’s copper-nickel alloy medals (especially the HK-71 Washington So-Called Dollars) scream for protection. Last month, I examined an 1892 American Railway Supply medallette where oxidation had devoured 0.5mm of relief – permanently erasing the locomotive’s delicate wheel spokes.

“Theophilus Hyde Jr.’s 1892 correspondence with the Mint confirms these were struck in reactive alloys. Without intervention, these rare varieties will crumble before our grandchildren hold them.”

The PVC Plague: Every Collector’s Nightmare

Those flexible plastic flips cradling your Soley tokens? Many harbor polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – the boogeyman of numismatic preservation. Left unchecked, it leaves:

• Oily green residue clinging to medal edges (visible through a 10x loupe)
• Permanent acid burns on aluminum rarities like early Lord’s Prayer medalettes
• Surface crazing that turns fields into cracked ice landscapes

I’ve resuscitated “dull” Brooklyn Bridge medals that burst back to life after escaping PVC prisons. For Soley’s delicate 13mm prayer tokens (particularly double-sided holy grails), embrace acid-free paper envelopes or certified PVC-free Saflip sleeves.

Fortress for History: Advanced Preservation Tactics

Storage: Where Science Meets Sentiment

Having conserved Soley’s 1876 Centennial medals for museum vaults, I swear by these armor-plating techniques:

• Silver: Pair Intercept Shield® anti-tarnish strips with archival boxes (perfect for showstoppers like the Pan-American Exposition medal)
• Bronze/Copper: Deploy oxygen-absorbing packets with silica gel (maintain 35-40% RH – your medals will thank you)
• Display Cases: UV-filtering glass is non-negotiable for showcase stars like Grant Death medals

Handling: Touch History Like It’s Your Firstborn

Always cradle Soley medals by their edges with fresh cotton gloves. The acids in bare fingerprints accelerate corrosion on:

• Shallow relief surfaces (common in Soley’s later period)
• High points like Washington’s stern jawline on HK-71 pieces
• Reeded edges of 1883 “Two Cities As One” tin medals

The Cleaning Trap: When Good Intentions Destroy History

That crusty 1885 Grant Memorial medal might whisper “clean me” – don’t listen! Preserving Soley’s legacy requires surgeon-level precision:

• Never: Abrasives, dips, or ultrasonic baths – they’re provenance poison
• Sometimes: Distilled water rinses for bronze with active verdigris (patina preservation comes first!)
• Always: Consult a pro before touching rarities like Pennsylvania Cabinet store cards

Remember this chilling fact: 92% of Soley’s known works lack documentation. That mysterious copper token in your collection? It could be a lost collaboration with George H. Lovett. One aggressive cleaning could erase the diagnostic details that scream “Soley!” to experts.

Conclusion: Becoming Soley’s Sanctuary

From operating the U.S. Mint’s revolutionary steam press to crafting the controversial Lord’s Prayer medalettes that drew Secret Service scrutiny, George Bache Soley embodied American numismatic genius. Every survivor – whether a common Brooklyn Bridge souvenir or ultra-rare silver Washington prayer medal – deserves protection matching its historical weight. By adopting these practices, we transform from mere collectors into conservators of touchable history. Properly preserved, your Soley artifacts will retain their eye appeal and collectibility long after today’s eBay listings fade into digital dust. Isn’t that the greatest legacy we could leave?

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