I would be very grateful if everyone could
cast their expert eyes on this puzzling coin that, I've
had for a while. The ID is straightforward enough, but what lies behind the central dimple on its
obverse? It's clearly an old bore hole. I see no reason to assume it to be anything other than ancient. It's well patinated with natural deposits within. The
flan shape, with its bevelled/conical edges, is more similar to that of some
Ptolemaic AEs from c.260BC till the late 2nd century, than is usual of these
Emerita types. I'm not sure how likely it may be that the
mint at
Augusta Emerita would have been using
Ptolemaic flans from up to two centuries earlier though. Certain other mints from the Eastern Mediterranean created superficially similar flans much later. Either way, I can see no clear indication of an
overstrike.
I suppose it's entirely possible that the dimple, which I have not seen on any other coins from
Emerita, might have been created by someone on a whim, after the coins production.
Any thoughts? I was tempted to post this on the Greek
discussion board, once any reaction here
had ended, considering there is a possibility the flan's origins could lie in that direction.
AE As,
Tiberius.
Emerita Augusta.
Roman Spain. 14-37CE. 27mm, 13.30g.
Obv. TI.
CAESAR AVGVSTVS PON.
MAX.
IMP. Laur.
bust. of
Tiberius left.
Rev. COL.
AVGVSTA EMERITA.
City gates, two towers and walls.
Ref. AB-1056.
Burgos 578.
RPC 42.