An improved seal for an electric lamp is provided. An oxidation-resistant coating is provided on the current conductor where the outer lead joins the seal foil, preferably at the pinch seal. The coating is preferably a chromium layer covered by a chromium layer or a silver layer covered by a layer of hydrogenated silicon oxy carbon polymer. The coating is preferably applied via sputtering where the coating is subject to high energy electron or ion bombardment during sputtering. Preferably the coating is applied via sputtering at increased deposition pressure.