★ interesting example ★

SYRIA, Coele-Syria. Heliopolis. Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD.
Obv: Bust of Tyche of Heliopolis.
Rev: Blank.
.
Condition: Extremely fine.
Weight: 34.66 g.
Diameter: 32 mm.

At first glance, one may suspect this unusual item to be a forger's casting mold. However, these were not produced in metal (and certainly not in lead, which has a very low melting point) as they were supposed to be broken apart in the process to free the cast coins. Furthermore, the reverse is not recessed. Thus, we are left guessing what the purpose of this piece was - perhaps it was a trial strike to test the making of transfer dies by hammering a coin into a heated piece of metal?