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Message:: [QUOTE="Severus Alexander, post: 3587029, member: 84744"]You're right this is tough!  For some heavily patinated specimens it's pretty much impossible to tell IMO. This Sabina was sold to me as an as, but given the brassy colour it must be a dupondius (11.24g, 28mm): [ATTACH=full]957939[/ATTACH] Apparently the quality of the orichalcum deteriorated over time; maybe it was difficult even for contemporary Romans to tell the difference by colour (though of course the crown makes it easy for the male rulers).  This issue of Severus Alexander, showing him as the "restorer of the coinage" (found only on quite a large issue of dupondii and possibly the occasional orichalcum sestertius), may reference an increase in the quality of the metal to something brassier.  My example is too patinated to see any yellow:[ATTACH=full]957942[/ATTACH] Compare to this rather coppery example from late in the reign of Elagabalus (not my coin):[ATTACH=full]957955[/ATTACH] Although this dupondius of his mother Julia Soaemias is pretty brassy (also not my coin, sadly):[ATTACH=full]957956[/ATTACH]Maybe it was only later in the reign of Elagabalus that quality suffered?  I'd love to see a metal analysis to answer these questions.[/QUOTE]