Maybe I'm crazy (my girlfriend might agree), but this looks like them there gold on the coin. I was wondering if anyone could help me identify this crusty mess? It's 19mm, and I really honestly don't know what else there is to read on it. Thanks for your help!
It's an Axumite coin, they were skilled metallurgists and were able to apply gold leaf to their bronze and silver coins. The amount of gold is negligible, but an Axumite coin with fully intact gold is worth a substantial premium. I dont think that yours is more than partially intact, but still a very cool find!
I have one of these amazing coins, too: Gilt AE Aksumite Kingdom, Ouazebas (later 4th cent. AD). Obv. Draped bust t.r. flanked by corn ears. Rev. Draped bust right, wearing head-cloth. 17 mm, 1.69 gr. BMC Axum 245-6.
Here's one. It's from the early 8th century in Gandhara (now Pakistan, around Islamabad), issued by the Turk Shahi Kings of Kabul and Gandhara. The name of the ruler is tentatively considered Sandan. It's not certain what the gold plug was for. And the inlay being so small, didn't whip up the value much either. Here's a coin like these discussed on Zeno. It's a large, impressive silver coin measuring 30 mm and weighing 3.2 gr.
