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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;kaparthy, post: 25126, member: 57463&quot;]I believe that I have seen this question and this coin before.&nbsp; It is a sestertius, a large bronze coin.&nbsp; For one thing, it says &quot;SC&quot; on the back.&nbsp; Senatus Consultum means that the Roman senate authorized the issue.&nbsp; The senate typically issued bronze; the emperor issued gold and silver.&nbsp; There are exceptions.&nbsp; Silver coins with SC are known.&nbsp; Also, Rome was a republic before it was an empire and even Augustus and especially Claudius were hesititant about their authority.&nbsp; So, the senate continued to have its traditional powers.&nbsp; The point remains, though: SC means the coin is bronze, not gold.</p><p><br /></p><p>Also, the coin is too large for gold.&nbsp; Large gold coins were known, especially for drastic emergencies, very high honors, etc., but they are exceedingly rare.&nbsp; Such as we know of need special explanation.&nbsp; The typical Roman gold coin was about the size of a US 5 cent Nickel, a bit smaller, at 20 mm, give or take.&nbsp; These coins weigh only 7 to 8 grams, usually, with 7.25 being about right for an early imperial.&nbsp;&nbsp; (It is interesting to see how they varied over time.&nbsp; Also, coins half this size were also made, though in smaller quantities.)&nbsp;&nbsp; So, a gold coin would be about the size of a nickel and heavier.</p><p><br /></p><p>Finally, this coin is too worn for a gold issue.&nbsp; Gold coins were not generally passed from hand to hand.&nbsp; They served for large state-sized payments.&nbsp; Of course, worn gold coins are known.&nbsp; However, the more they are worn down, the less common they are.</p><p><br /></p><p>All in all, it is impossible to tell from a scan, of course.&nbsp; Still, without actually seeing the coin, based on its size and legends and condition, I have to go with &quot;sestertius.&quot;[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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