Got this in a lot of Roman Bronze from CNG and it look a lot different than the other. Any ideas? 18.30 mm and 1.98 grams. Thanks!
Severus Alexander w/ the emperor on the reverse, sacrificing with a patera over a lighted altar; perhaps? EDIT: Heh, you beat me by a couple of seconds @JayAg47 . If I'm reading the legends correct, it looks to be something akin to: Obverse: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG Reverse: P M TR P V COS II PP
Is this coin an antoninianus? It look more like a silver than a bronze coin. Which is weird since it came in a lot of imperial bronze coins.
The bust would be radiate (rather than laureate) if it were an Antoninianus. To me, it looks like the extremely corroded core of a (contemporary?)fouree, or a modern cast fake. I can't tell with the photo. At 1.98g, the weight is pretty low for an AR denarius, however, environmental damage or harsh cleaning could've played a part in that.
Some bronze coins were washed or platted with silver. Here is an example that shows the silver that has partially come off.
Severus Alexander never actually minted antoniniani for himself; the only antoninianus coins of him were minted many years later by Trajan Decius. Imo, this is a denarius that is probably official, but badly corroded
Every once in a while I get a Severus Alexander denarius in a lot that looks like the OP. I am not sure if they are fourree cores or just low silver content badly preserved/leached/corroded. Not pretty, but identifiable. Here's one: Severus Alexander Denarius (222-228 A.D.) Rome Mint IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate, draped & cuirass. bust r. / PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia, draped, standing left, pointing at globe with wand in right hand, spear in left hand. RIC 174 (draped & cuirassed).
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is a Severus Alexander like yours that has been silver plated.
I would agree with @Harry G... looks like an official but badly corroded denarius of Severus Alexander...
