Antique finish deepens engraved detail by leaving dark oxidation in the recesses; polished finish is bright and reflective and makes enamel colors stand out. Antique suits detail-led designs, polished suits color-led designs.

  • Antique. After plating, an oxidizing layer is applied and then buffed off the raised surfaces. The dark residue stays in the low points of the design. The result is high contrast between raised and recessed areas, which makes engraved line work, texture and 3D relief read clearly at actual size. Available in antique gold, silver, copper and brass. A coin relying on sculptural detail rather than color will almost always look better antiqued.
  • Polished. A bright, mirror-like plated surface with no oxidation. It reflects light, gives a clean and formal look, and sits well alongside enamel, because colors look more saturated against a polished border than an antiqued one. Available in gold, silver, nickel, copper and black nickel.

The practical test: cover the color in your design and ask whether the coin still reads. If it does, antique will make it stronger. If the coin depends on its colors, go polished.

Antique is more forgiving on busy designs; polished is less forgiving of surface marks.

Compare both in our gallery, or request a free quote and we’ll recommend a finish.