Is this Gordian III denarius a fourrée? Most of my experience with fourrée coins comes from earlier issues. I have a hard time determining if the crusty stuff is on top of the coin or on the inside, but the green bits at the bottom are definitely on the inside, so I’m thinking 90% yes on the fourrée question. What do others see? Photo is of the same coin. Gordian III 238-244 A.D. 241-243 A.D. RIC lists this coin from the “fourth issue” of Gordian III coinage. AR denarius 18.8 x 20.1 mm. 2.54 g. 0° IMP GORD[IANVS PIVS FEL AVG; laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right. IOVIS STATOR (“Jove the Supporter”); Jupiter standing front with thunderbolt and scepter. Here Jove “is invoked to stay the Roman armies, hard pressed by the Persians” (RIC p. 10). RIC 4.112. This is from part 3, or C, of RIC volume 4.
I can say nothing for certain from the photos and later denarii with low silver can corrode in ways that look like copper especially if they were hoarded with copper coins. I would not bet I would be 'certain' with coin in hand. I do not have a lot of experience with coins like this. I do not go out of my way to buy them unless I see something interesting in terms of style (good or bad) or they come in a group with coins I wanted (like the AK lot surplus coins I sold through JA recently and I hope found good homes with some of you). There are most certainly fourrees this late. My Gordian III is very obviously barbarous (cute even?) but my Trajan Decius is decent but not official style and definitely plated. Some fourree makers were equally or more skilled than some at the regular mint. This late, the tiny profit to be made making fourrees discouraged the practice.
I finally got a fouree I can post! Roman Republic, Fourée Denarius imitating L. Thorius Balbus. 2.8g, 19mm, 3h; after 105 BC. Obv.: Head right of Juno Sospita, wearing goat-skin headdress; I. S. M. R. behind. Rev.: L.THORIVS // BALBVS; Bull charging right; S above. Reference: cf. Sear 192; Thoria 1; Cr. 316/1; Syd. 598. From the Doug Smith Collection #387
