Some recently cleaned coins. Always enjoy getting uncleaned lots, I don't generally expect anything great. I think its just the excitement of watching it coming back to life.
That's an amazing transformation. I don't know much about Ancients, but that's something else ! Thanks for posting .
Nice. As my US coins got to the point where there wasn't much left to keep me interested, I set out to start an Ancient collection. My goal was to find, clean and identify 100. I've completed that and have the 100 in an album. You just kick started that. I may do some more. Good job.
I tend to use a combination of things, Ill do a soak in distilled water for a few hours then start with Bamboo generally. After that ill do quick soaks and start using orthodontic tools as well as random tools Ive made for myself ranging from safety pin tips to tacks hahaha. From there it is just a matter of being delicate and patient.
If you are going to use metal tools, you might consider going to a hobby shop and buying a few thin brass rods and then filing the ends down into points and/or blades. Brass is softer than the steel used in orthodontic tools, so it is less likely to scratch the surface of the coin if you make a mistake.
I tried using home-made brass tools long ago and quickly gave up on them. Yes, brass is softer than steel. However, it can still damage coins, it often leaves annoying brassy streaks and its softness can make it difficult to use. I have actually found that steel tools kept as sharp as possible offer the best results. Yes, they can scratch but they allow you to use techniques that mostly avoid scratching. SC
You're right about the brassy streaks, but I can usually remove them by soaking the coins in distilled water afterward. Still, if you've found a method that you like, more power to you. I certainly can't argue with your results. The coins look great.