Brass Gordian III provincial coin?

[Jacob D]

I received this coin in an uncleaned lot but am having trouble IDing it.  It looks to me like a Gordian III NICAEA provincial coin but i believe it is brass.  Is this right? I have seen some coins made from yellowy brass instead of the more coppery bronze but i don't know why I  can't find one think this unless I am wrong on what it is (which is very probable if not likely).  I included a photo of the side because it shows the color a little better I think.

[Jay GT4]

Looks like your ID is correct.  Please post size and weight


https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1650307

[SC]

These are found in brass as well as copper/bronze.  Not sure if there was an official reason for the difference, or if it was just expediency with whatever metal was at hand for this city mint. 

Anyone know if the brass/orichalcum signified a specific denomination with this Nicaean coinage?

Shawn

[Jacob D]

Thanks.  I though it was weird when I could not find a brass one for sale anywhere.  The other coins that I Have IDed I have not had a problem finding other examples of.

[SC]

This Nicaean coinage is really odd.  Most 3rd early-mid century provincial coins types did not circulate widely beyond their proper city.  These Nicaea coins are an exception and are common finds in the Balkans hundreds of miles from where they were struck.  There was clearly something going on with a minting much larger than required by Nicaea itself.  So I am guessing they might have had to scrounge metal from where they could and sometimes used brass from melted down 2nd century sestertii.

Shawn

[Pekka K]

Not from Nikaia, but neighbor city Juliopolis.

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=194493

Pekka K

[SC]

Good catch Pekka!  Now that you point it out you can clearly see the lettering.  But I didn't look past the design....

These seem to be much scarcer that the Nicaea types.

Shawn