CREST TOOTHPASTE
This idea was provided by Howard Wetsman, M.D.
I'm going to do three experiments with this. These coins have been soaking in distilled water for a couple days, but otherwise are untouched as I received them.
My initial thoughts are that some dirt will be removed, patina might be removed due to the "grit" in the toothpaste, and they should smell nice.
Let's see how it goes.
EXPERIMENT ONE
Coins weigh 5.0 grams.
I am going to simply rub Crest on the surfaces of the coin between my fingers for about two minutes per coin, rinse and toothbrush.
And after:
Coins still weigh 5.0 grams, but some dirt has definitely been removed. This tired my fingers out pretty fast though. Patina still seems intact. Nothing too impressive, but definitely works:
EXPERIMENT TWO:
I am going to brush the coins, about two minutes each, with a clipped toothbrush, adding water occasionally. I will then rinse and toothbrush again. Coins weigh 3.9 grams. Larger coin has some encrustations on both sides.
Now this is much more impressive. Weight is now 3.8 grams, and alot of dirt has been removed. The reverse on the larger coin was already damaged patina-wise, so I don't fault the Crest for this (see right side). It doesn't seem to have any effect on encrustation, but that was expected. My scanner is making these look alot more green than they really are, for some reason. I have had this happen quite a bit recently, and have a new one on the way.
An unexpected side effect- the dirt seems to be softer and easier to remove. I spent about one minute with my Swiss pick and silver brushed the obverse of the small coin. It's alot easier to work with now. Needs more cleaning, but definitely a nice side effect.
And here are the coins from experiment one, after being brushed with a toothbrush, compared to fingers. Weight is still 5.0 grams. More has definitely been removed.
EXPERIMENT THREE
I am going to apply the toothpaste using a 1" felt wheel. This may eat through the patina. One way to find out. Coins start at 2.4 grams. The gloria exercitvs might not have a patina- it's hard to tell through the dirt.
The gloria didn't have a patina, as I thought. Coins still weigh 2.4 grams. I wouldn't try this again- toothpaste flew everywhere; on my shirt, in the air, in my eye... everywhere. I used my soft nylon wheel on the reverse of the gloria; the toothpaste didn't fly as much, and seemed to clean better... but the toothbrush seems better.
This definitely warrants more experimenting.