I'm told it's from 41-68 AD but I have no idea. I'm also told this is considered a scarce coin. Opinions please.
Looks like this one on wildwinds: Nero AE As, Lyons mint. 66 AD. IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P PP, bare head right, globe at point of bust / S-C to left and right of Victory flying left, holding shield inscribed SPQR. RIC 543; BMC 381; WCN 593; Cohen 302.
It's a nice piece. Though well circulated it was a good strike and is pleasing in appearance. The reverse is actually one of the more common ones.
That coin sends up a few ‘red flags’. It very well could be authentic, but I would personally avoid it. One distinct ‘red flag’ is the inside voids on certain letters of the legend that are filled in. IE. — The ‘R’s at 8p at 11p, and the A and S at 10p. This sort of ‘filled in’ effect could be due to natural wear that has compressed the letters, but often, it is also a sign of casting — where the voids of the lettering failed to transfer. Look to the coin FurryFrog02 posted. The voids in the lettering are clear and discernible. Flag #2. The coin’s surface is rather pitted. This of course could be due to natural corrosion, but it also has the look of a casting. The fabric has a very ‘soapy’ look to it — also a common sign of casting. However, it’s also possible that the coin has been harshly cleaned and re-patinated; giving it the unnatural smoothed edged look of the devices. Flag #3 — Being told that it is a “scarce coin”. The coin is not ‘scarce’ by any relative sense of the word. Nero asses from Lugdunum(Modern Lyons) are fairly common. An honest dealer competent in ancient coins would know that, and while not perhaps inclined to disclose that, wouldn’t attempt to openly state otherwise. Seller questions begin to come to mind such as: “Who is selling this coin?”; for starts. Obviously one that doesn’t know enough about the coin that Nero ruled from the years of 54-68 AD. Ignorant seller — Makes me more scrutinous. Once again, it deserves reiteration that the coin may be authentic, however, it is not remarkable enough for me (personally) to be willing to take a gamble on it. That stated, I am also not enough of an expert to be able to confirm a coin as authentic based on a photo alone. Size and weight could also help in determining its authenticity.
