Medal Restoration Project

A few days ago, I bought a set of collectible medals online.

Haul:

1. Marcos Inauguration Medal

2. Imelda PICC Inauguration Medal

3. Marcos and Imelda Medal

4. Kamagi Medal

5. 1933 Vatican Jubilee Medal

6. Opus Dei Medal

What started as a simple cleaning experiment turned into a surprisingly satisfying restoration journey. Many of these medals had stubborn rust spots and tarnish that wouldn’t budge with regular metal polish, especially the Kamagi Medal. I tried a few methods, including hydrogen peroxide and a vinegar–baking soda soak. The result? A much cleaner surface, with the original bronze and brass tones finally showing through again.

They’re still far from mint condition, but I think they look much better than when I first bought them.

I decided to turn the medals with loops into wearable vintage jewelry pieces.

Interestingly, I hadn’t seen a Kamagi Medal in mint condition before starting the restoration. I later discovered that the black patina was part of the original design. I think I might have approached it differently had I known!

Here are the before-and-after photos of the medals.

Before: