Blast. I think I've ruined my first ancient (death by cleaning). Got it in the mail today, soaked it in what I thought was olive oil for a while (still don't know if it's olive oil or not, it's a mystery vase), and decided to try to see if I could loosen anything from the coin. I'm not sure, but I think it's probably worser off now than it was when I got it, considering the reverse wasn't nearly so bloated looking. It's times like these when I think of Alfred: "Why do we fall, Master Bruce?" you know the rest.
It's times like these when I think of Alfred: "Why do we fall, Master Bruce?" exactly, so we can get up again
No you didn't do anything wrong as it still needs more cleaning you just cleaned the loose crud off the coin so now you need to soak it for about six month cleaning it with a tooth brush from time to time that's if you have the time to spend on it and still want the patina as well oh and I also use a bronze brush as well,regards Harry oh and P.S.the Scala Santa token was worse than this and it took me 18 months to clean as well as the other coin posted under it
the good old days of the butler. Master spock what will you be riding today and master spock what would you like for dinner but i never did have a butler who said why do we fall