Merry Christmas! As for the finish I use on antler I like to leave it natural with no finish unless it is porous. If it is I use some CA glue. No matter if I use CA glue or not I sand with the micro mesh to 12000 grit.
There really isn't a story other than the person requesting the set wanted a fountain pen, roller ball pen, and pencil set. He really liked the big ben sets I have on my desk and wanted a set. I had done a set similar to this for his father for fathers day and he wanted one of his own. Since we both fly on the USSTRATCOM Airborne Command Post he wanted me to incorporate the coin with our Aircraft on it.