Strange Trachy like Coin With Text on the Obverse Ae 24-25mm 3.7g

[pogh_poor]

I recently picked this trachy like cup Ae 24-25mm 3.7g coin from a $4.00 mixed Byzantine pick box .  While it is the cupped shape and thinness of a trachy, there are 4 lines of text on the obverse (if it were a cup coin).  I think that the last 3 lines read ThEO BA SILEVS R OMEON.  There appears to be an S on the first line.  But for that "S", I would think that would be similar to the text on the issue of Leo VI SB1728 which reads LEON EN ThEO BA SILEVS R OMEON.  There is nothing on the reverse. 

I would enjoy hearing your opinions on this odd coin.  Was it minted as a trachy? Is it a misshaped regular issue? If so, what was it?  There is no remnants on the inner side of the coin.  Pogh_poor

[wileyc]

The reverse looks like that of SB 1761 CONST/ENQEOBA/SILEVS/OMEON

that being said if it was restruck as a trachy, I would presume a overstrike and I do not recall ever seeing a trachy off hand that has been rest struck over a older follis? someone correct me otherwise?

I wonder if it was hammered as a decorative piece or has been bent in a accident? fire perchance?

weight is a little light for a 1761 but being clipped and worn as it is. 3.7 g is not far off,

I have one that weighs in at 4.45g

CW

[pogh_poor]

It is really quite a puzzle.  I agree with you that it appears to be the revere of a Constantine VII, AE Follis.  It is so definitely and deeply "cup shaped" that I think that it was intentionally done rather than merely being bent or otherwise damages in a fire.  The light weight is due to its being quite thin. 

My thoughts is that it is an altered coin rather than a trachy like coin.  However, there is nothing on the flip side of coin to indicate its use if it is an altered coin (such as a button or jewelry/decorative item).   I would enjoy hearing any other ideas as to how it came to be.