Ancient Coin Identification - Gold?

[Dougie Webb]

I'd forgotten about a big ziploc of old coins that my Army grandfather had gotten from his travels around the world. In the bag were three ancient coins, one from around 1000 AD, another from around 350 AD (both Roman), and then a third that is too faded for me to identify.

Out of curiosity, I put all three on the Garrett 200 to see what they returned. Not surprisingly, the first two returned around an 80, indicative of their bronze composition. These are the same general numbers I get with most modern US coins.

However, the unidentifiable one consistently registers around 55, which has, in my experience, been pulltabs, although it's supposed to be the domain of gold.

This coin left a streak that is in the ballpark of what gold is supposed to leave. And as you can see, where the end was exposed from the streak test, it certainly has that color.

Opinions? Anyone seen one like this?

 

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[DCMatt]

Given the amount of environmental damage, I'm thinking "not gold". That thing is toasty. Nothing more than "bust right" to go on... Maybe if you provide the size and weight... Otherwise we're just shooting in the dark.

 

[Dougie Webb]

Given the amount of environmental damage, I'm thinking "not gold". That thing is toasty. Nothing more than "bust right" to go on... Maybe if you provide the size and weight... Otherwise we're just shooting in the dark.

Matt - forgot those details! 19.5 mm across and fairly heavy at 5.5 grams

 

[Retired Sarge]

Looking at the reverse side it looks like a standing horse or some critter if you turn it. Looks like legs, body etc, could be 2 horses facing right, with something to their rear or on the left side of the reverse.

 

[Dougie Webb]

Looking the reverse side it looks like a stranding horse or some critter if you turn it. Looks like legs, body etc, could be 2 horses facing right, with something to their rear or on the left side of the reverse.

View attachment 1921599

Man, that makes so much more sense now. Thanks! Sometimes, it's the simple things...

 

[Retired Sarge]

Or I could be looking at a Rorschach Inkblot Test and my mind is telling me that is what I'm seeing.......

 

[Dougie Webb]

Ha, good one! The way I was looking at, I was thinking "this is the ugliest woman ever!"

 

[Mackaydon]

My imagination sees a 'quadriga'; a manned chariot being pulled by four horses; similar to the coin pic on the right (disregard the pic on the left).
Roman; yes.

Don......

 

[Dougie Webb]

My imagination sees a 'quadriga'; a manned chariot being pulled by four horses; similar to the coin pic on the right (disregard the pic on the left).
Roman; yes.

Don......

Awesome, Don, thanks! I think you nailed it on the back there!

 

[EnvoyToTheMolePeople]

If you have some kind of graduated cylinder or similar device, you could test the density. You already know the mass.

 

[unclemac]

research "celtic gold stater" although it doesn't seem to be gold, it could be a counterfeit

 

[Dougie Webb]

If you have some kind of graduated cylinder or similar device, you could test the density. You already know the mass.

Thanks! Found some tutorials and should be able to do this easily here.