Ineresting. My thoughts went to Indian "Bull & Horseman" coins, but I dunno. While doing a quick Googling, I brought up this page from our very own @dougsmit. Bull & Horseman Jitals But I'm not sure. Didn't see any close matches on the page, but you've got some kinda critters on there that made me think of the bulls on the Indian coins, is all. Those who suggested "Celtic" could be right. FWIW, it does at least look like a bonafide ancient coin to me.
I'm leaning Carthage. The reverse is definately a horse. I've looked at the obverse as long as my eyes will let me, I'm lost, maybe a young Horakles? Just a thought
The obverse seems to be a stylized human head facing right. I don't think it looks like the standard realistic portrait of Tanit on most Carthaginian bronzes I've seen, and extreme stylization is pretty normal for Celtic coins. Of course, I will gladly defer to someone with more knowledge and/or a link to an identified better-condition matching coin.
If you can make out a head of any sort, then your eyes are much keener than mine. Like @Smojo, for the life of me I can't make out anything. Celtic it is then.
Here's a quick illustration of where I'm seeing the face. I rotated the coin 90 degrees to make it easier to see. The area I marked in orange is (I think) not part of the design, just some random blob of metal. Of course, this could just be an example of pareidolia. I'll look at it again in the morning and check if I still see a face (it's getting very late here.)
That really looks close, you may have it. Carthage gets my vote. Don't know why I said Herakles that would't be it, but Tanit is possible.
Its a Celtic imitation. The quadrangular device under the horse gives it away. I do have the book, but it is late (nearly midnight), everyone is sleeping and I cant sneak the book off the shelf. Also, Thanksgiving is a few hours away, so I may not get back to it.
Sorry about not responding earlier. It was late and I had to go to bed. I forgot to mention that it is somewhat concave on the horse side. Now that I got a chance to look at it in the sunlight. I can see that on the mysterious side it has this little dots all over. They are meant to be above the level of the coin base, and some still are, but others are worn. Some hardly visible . My first impression was that it was a palm tree with dates, but then I realised I can see a human profile. To me it depicts a mens face painted in colours, wearing a wild boars head. Maybe I let my imagination run wild I dont know... The "smudge", Parthicus said wasnt part of the coin, I think it is. Only thing is I dont know what it is. I can only guess the theme of the coin (obverse) is celestial/warrior. Anyway... here are couple more shots that should help you see more:
Well, even if I never make out exactly what this coin is, at least I've learn a great new word by following this thread!
looks like a numismatic Rohrschach test, I see the head of an elephant ,with a big pellet and 4 smaller pellets around it. would make it Siculo Punic Carthago Sicily ?
