Tragically low-grade coin. Would have been great.

[Nathan L]

It appears to be bust right on the obverse.  On the reverse, it is 4 figures.  It appears the second on the left is crowning the person to the right. 

Thanks,
Nathan

[quadrans]

The size and weight always help ..please

Q.

[Nathan L]

Sincere apologies.

11.23g  &  27 mm

[curtislclay]

Rev. type is reminiscent of the Four Seasons.

[Meepzorp]

Hi folks,

Curtis may be right.

The reverse also reminds me of an Illyria coin type where there are figures dancing around burning tar or asphalt.

Meepzorp

[Nathan L]

Does look like the four seasons.  Any idea who struck a large bronze like that?

[Altamura]

There ist a sestertius by Commodus, but usually these are a bit heavier than your coin:
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=189580
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=124861
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2437080
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1197046&partId=1&searchText=commodus+seasons&object=23360&page=1
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=3433892&partId=1&searchText=commodus+seasons&object=23360&page=1

Regards

Altamura

[shanxi]

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2437080

Description: Smoothed and tooled in ancient time     

[Nathan L]

Altamura, I think you are on to it.  What little is left of the obverse portrait does line up with the examples of Commodus, and the four figures closely resemble the reverses, especially: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=189580.

However, as you pointed out, they are all far heavier.  This coin is about half their weight.  Another thing to note is that espcially on the reverse, tons of detail is off the flan (Especially note the S-C).  This could not be because of being off-center because it is on both sides.  Both the boys on either side are nearly not on the coin.

Is it possible this was an As struck on the dies of a Sestercius?

[stultus]

Hi,
I think it might be an ancient cast copy of a Commodus sestertius. Althoug it is a relatively scarce type it was copied quite often, I have 13 such limesfalsa, their weights are between 8.03 and 10. 55 g. The colour and the surface of the coin, the rim in front of the head, the narrow flan may also support this idea.
S.

[Nathan L]

I think you are right.   That makes sense.

Thanks!

[curtislclay]

I think it might be an ancient cast copy of a Commodus sestertius. Althoug it is a relatively scarce type it was copied quite often, I have 13 such limesfalsa, their weights are between 8.03 and 10. 55 g. The colour and the surface of the coin, the rim in front of the head, the narrow flan may also support this idea.

Do I understand correctly that you have 13 limesfalsa of Commodus with this same Four Seasons rev. type?

 If so a picture of one of them would be nice!

[Nathan L]

I think it might be an ancient cast copy of a Commodus sestertius. Althoug it is a relatively scarce type it was copied quite often, I have 13 such limesfalsa, their weights are between 8.03 and 10. 55 g. The colour and the surface of the coin, the rim in front of the head, the narrow flan may also support this idea.

Do I understand correctly that you have 13 limesfalsa of Commodus with this same Four Seasons rev. type?

 If so a picture of one of them would be nice!

Second that!

[quadrans]

I think it might be an ancient cast copy of a Commodus sestertius. Althoug it is a relatively scarce type it was copied quite often, I have 13 such limesfalsa, their weights are between 8.03 and 10. 55 g. The colour and the surface of the coin, the rim in front of the head, the narrow flan may also support this idea.

Do I understand correctly that you have 13 limesfalsa of Commodus with this same Four Seasons rev. type?

 If so a picture of one of them would be nice!

  
Q.

[stultus]

Do I understand correctly that you have 13 limesfalsa of Commodus with this same Four Seasons rev. type?

 If so a picture of one of them would be nice!

Yes I do, I can take the photos next week.

S.

[Nathan L]

I guess the ancient forgers splurged on this counterfeit, since it is heavier than all 13 of your other ones.   

[stultus]

Yes, it was made by the prodigal son.
But I do not think these are counterfeit pieces. Most of them are not capable to deceive anyone because of their low weight, grey tone, and small size. Most of them looked very worn even when they were brand new. I would suggest that they were some kind of emergency coinage, tokens because of the shortage of small change. In my oppinion they are similar to the low value emergency notes issued in several European countries after WW I by shopkeepers, restaurant owners, etc.

[Nathan L]

Ancient notgeld.  Now that is an interesting thought.  Any idea on why they would choose this type? 

[stultus]

Here are the photos. I have decided to upload all coins, so you can see the condition of an average limes coin.
I have no idea why the this type was chosen, but this was the most popular for the cast coins of Commodus. Besides these I know two sestertii with Hercules, two with Victory seated inscribing shield, one as with Roma standing, and one with emperor in quadriga.

[stultus]

next two

[stultus]

more

[stultus]

more

[stultus]

more

[stultus]

more

[stultus]

The coins are usually not so much worn, but they are very bad quality casts.

[Nathan L]

[quadrans]