New to cleaning

[Brian G2]

Hi, I’m new to cleaning. I soaked this coin in distilled water for 24 hrs. then picked at it with a diamond tipped tool(made for Roman coins) under a microscope.  I feel like I’m doing a decent job with it, there’s still a green patina and I haven’t chipped away any of the features.

My question is, how do I get rid of that last bit of sand and dirt remaining on the areas I have already done? I can’t just keep picking at it. Do I put it back in the water ? A toothbrush and/or Q-tip won’t remove it, I’ve tried.  I want to get it as clean as possible.

EDIT:  there is actually no green to it,  when looking at it with the naked eye.  I think I was bugging out looking at it under the microscope.

I posted a before and after picture.  I think it’s Valens.[/img]

Thanks,

Brian

[Jay GT4]

I think it looks great as is!

[SC]

It does look great.  If the dirt is still bothering you, you should be able to use the same tool.  Another option is to get a pin and file/wear down the tip on a whetstone till it is rounded a bit instead of super sharp.  You can even use a sharp pin very carefully and with a very low angle to the coin surface, but it is riskier.

SC

[Brian G2]

Thanks for the encouraging comments and tips.

Below are pics of the final product. I went after it with the picking tool for about 2-3 more hours, then dried it on the baseboard heater for 3 days, the applied renaissance wax. These pics are from about an hour after application and a few minutes after I buffed it.

I would love some comments and constructive criticism. How does everyone feel about renaissance wax? I feel mixed about it. It definitely brought out the features and gave it a nice look, but I also liked the gray-ish green mat look that it had previously. Wish I had taken a picture prior to applying the wax.

[SC]

Looks good. 

The glossy look from the Red wax will go away over time.  You can either re-buff it again (don't need to add more wax) to get the shine back, or leave it go matt.

SC