Those look like they got some pretty
good patina under them. Depending how well you like to clean your coins, If i
had them i would Overclean them to some peoples standards. Id be carefull trying to pry or scrape any dirt off with the
dental pick. It can leave nasty
pot holes and scrathes in the coin. Some times there
patina can be uneven and you could accidently pluck it up or you can hit a encrustation thats rooted down to the metal and that will look like a terrible mess when you do that.The best tool i have found for cleaning my coins down to the very surface of the
patina is with a sewing needle Or you can try out a pinvise. If that stuffs hard like you describe it, it will take a very long time to clean them up. I dont like soaking my coins though, Ive found that even a toothbrush can strip
patina on the highpoints due to it being exposed to the most brushing. If you want to clean up the coin to the
patina, I would start at the edge of the coin with a sewing needle and lightly polish the coin. Its not gonna clean up overnight if you take your time. could take a few days to do just the front if you do it right and take your time not to scratch the coin up.
Start with small circular motions close to the edge, Blow off dirt as soon as it covers up the spot you are working on or use some computer cleaner (duster/ the compressed air cleaner stuff for keyboards). That way you can see how deep into the dirt you are or if your actually starting to "Polish" the
patina.
Work your way very slowly to the first highpoints you can identify (like a letter).
Work around the letters so you start to make it ledgible. I like working down the fields first then working on the high points.If you take your time though you might like the results more. If you rush it and press hard you will turn the
patina into powder and go straight to the metal. The key is to LIGHTLY POLISH it and take frequent breaks so it doesnt drive you insane. You have to have a bunch of needles too. The
sharp ones
work the best and the sand and dirt acts like sandpaper so it wears out the tip. You know your doing it right when the coin looks like its waxed and you didnt wax it. Some super hard spots of dirt will be the ones that are hard to
work on. It could be due to a pittled
patina or small encrustations that will break off and be ugly if your not carefull. Once again, Light polishing and excessive motions on the same spot till it starts to shine will do the trick. Really it just depends on how patient you are with it. An encrustation is just that, an encrustation. And its not going to go anywere by continusly polishing it with a sewing needle (It might though, i havent been that patient with them i leave them alone). Best to just leave them alone till you learn how to remove them.
Like i said just depends how clean you like your coins and how patient you are. Brash brush and distilled water a big no no to me if im keeping
patina and picking and scrapeing can lead to potholes and scratches. By polishing it though, you can stop the motion anytime you want to. So if you think you might be overdoing it you can just stop.
Good luck!
