To keep cleaning or stop?

[fordicus]

My natural inclination is to stop, as cleaning the green encrustations will cause more trouble than it is worth and the coin is already attributable. What do you guys think?

[slokind]

If the metal surface is as it seems, I'd let well enough alone, for the health of what is left.  These coins are so often smoothed to death.  Others may differ, but what if what is underneath is both uglier and more fragile?  Pat L.

[Scotvs Capitis]

I'd call it done if I were you. 

[casata137ec]

Leave it be. From experience I would say if you were able to pull that chunk off of the obverse there would be rough raw metal underneath with no patina at all ( i did that to poor vespasian's cheek on a coin I am working now!)


Chris

[mwilson603]

I would take it on myself   
The green seems to be similar to some of the green stuff on coins I am currently working on and it has come off of those very nicely, although it is very slow to do.  On your coin the metal seems to be good enough underneath, but it is a risk as to whether there is any patina under the crust.  See pic below for an example of one I worked through.
regards
Mark

[Johnny]

if that was my coin,  I probably would clean parts of it a bit more.  Such as the reverse from the center  out to the rim  at 1 to 3 oclock,  and work on the face  to even out the patina,  I'm pretty sure the black should come off with a little patience  and poking

but that is only my opinion

[casata137ec]

My natural inclination is to stop, as cleaning the green encrustations will cause more trouble than it is worth and the coin is already attributable. What do you guys think?

So...what did you decide to do? (just curious)

Chris

[Joe Sermarini]

I would stop. 

[fordicus]

My natural inclination is to stop, as cleaning the green encrustations will cause more trouble than it is worth and the coin is already attributable. What do you guys think?

So...what did you decide to do? (just curious)

Chris

I decided to flip the coin for now. I've only been cleaning coins for about 7 months now so if I gain some more confidence I'll pick it up later. I don't currently have a microscope to use so I'm afraid using a scalpel without one might be too much risk. I appreciate everyone's help 

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'd leave it; the green doesn't detract from the coin.

[mwilson603]

chickens   

[Mayadigger]

Ave!

chickens

Back in the day when I was D&D Dungeon Master, we once had a saying: "No Guts, No Glory..."

From my end, I see no problem at all for further cleaning this coin. The Obv shiny bit at one o'clock shows that the metal beneath the surface grunge is quite sound.

I would take it on myself
The green seems to be similar to some of the green stuff on coins I am currently working on and it has come off of those very nicely, although it is very slow to do. On your coin the metal seems to be good enough underneath, but it is a risk as to whether there is any patina under the crust. See pic below for an example of one I worked through.
regards
Mark

I again agree with Mark...but I'm an iconclast, after all. 

Here's what I would do if the coin were mine: (Patina-purists need hide their eyes on this one, trust me.)

A 3 day soak in Gringotts Conservator Mix just to loosen up the gunge. Then use a Dremel SBBB
under running water to gently remove the green/black encrustations. A DDDP #1 will further clean out the details on both sides. Now return to the SBBB for final cleaning. At this point, the coin will be rather stripped of patina, but all the original details should be clear. A short 20 second soak in Jax Brown solution should darken the shiney bits and you'll have a much cleaner presentation for this coin.

Kevin

[SC]

Ave!

Back in the day when I was D&D Dungeon Master, we once had a saying: "No Guts, No Glory..."

Aha!  The truth comes out!!!

 

I bet we aren't the only two Roman Coin Collector/ex-DMs.