Domitian cistophorus fouree or just light?

[Tim M]

Hi, folks,

I hope this is the correct board for this post. I recently won a Forvm member auction for the coin below (Domitian RIC 843). Max diameter is 24.7 mm; mass is 7.89 g. It doesn't look like a fourree to me -- no plating breaks with a different metal underneath -- but it is about two grams light. I would very much appreciate any expert opinions from the board. Thanks in advance!

For what it's worth, I bid on it knowing that the weight was low and was happy to pay what I did regardless of the outcome.

Cheers,
Tim

[Jay GT4]

These are usually of good silver, minted in Rome for the east.  Mine comes in at 10.6g.  I think yours is a combination of wear and crystallization. 

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-141965

[Tim M]

Thanks for the input, Jay. That is a beautiful coin in your collection! I am fascinated that these were minted for export; that practice wasn't very common, was it?

Cheers,
Tim

[Jay GT4]

Thanks Tim.  The Flavians actually minted several coins in Rome for the east.  Not sure if any Julio-Claudians did, none come to mind.

[FlaviusDomitianus]

Hi Tim,

I can't tell from the picture whether your coin is plated or not.

However, I do know for a fact that plated cistophori do exist.

This one is from my collection weighs 8.61 grams.

Alberto

[Tim M]

Thanks for the response, Alberto. I did see one other cistophorus fouree on the Online Coins of the Roman Empire site, though it was not of Domitian. Maybe one day I'll get some expert eyes on my coin in person.

Cheers,
Tim