About the denomination of the coin
On this coin we see the denomination value as the letter Δ, placed in the field right to the Dioscuri. Letter Δ being the fourth of the alphabet, the coin is worth 4, so it is a four assaria coin. Denomination assarion / assaria was used for the name of bronze coins issued by several towns on the western and northern border of the Black Sea (Tomis, Callatis, Chersones, Tyras, Olbia and plenty more). Here at Tomis were struck coins of 1 assarion, 2, 3, 4 and 5 assaria, bearing as digits Α, Β, Γ, Δ and Ε. It seems like intermediate values were also issued. The Romans also called the 2 assarion coin dupondius, the 3 assarion tressis, the 4 assarion sestertius, the 5 assarion quincussis, and the 10 assarion decussis.
It has to be noticed that denomination values appear on very few ancient coins. Consequently, a common metal coin is usually reffered to by letters AE (AE standing for Latin aes, generic term used for copper based alloys) followed by the diameter. Therefore this coin is an AE 26, but also a 4 assaria.
About the legends inscribed on the coin
The legend surrounding the Dioscuri - MHTPOΠ (short for MHTPOΠOΛEOC) - shows that the city was a metropolis, capital city of the Pontic City Confederation; probably a good translation for it would be Tomis, Metropolis of Pontus.
Unfortunately the legend attending the emperor Maximinus is not complete, partially wiped and unluckily affected by eccentric striking. By comparison to similar pieces, it is probable to have been written AVT MAΞIMEINOS EVCEBHC AVΓ, standing for the Greek translation of IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG. The word imperator was translated by autocrator (autokrates in Greek meaning governing by one's self), IMP being replaced by AV. Letter K following AV is most probably short for Kaisar, Caesar.
About the small dimples on the coin
On the obverse as well as on the reverse some tiny dimples can be seen (also clearly visible on several provincial Roman coins present on our site). The signification of these dimples is not completely clear, the most common opinion being that they served a certain purpose during minting. So, they would be some sort of centering holes.
About emperor Maximinus Thrax
Maximinus Thrax (Caius Iulius Verus Maximinus) was emperor of Rome between 235 and 238. Starting with him the period of military anarchy began inside the empire, lasting up to 285. Iulius Capitolinus, in his Historia Augusta, writes that Maximinus was born in Thrace (hence the surname of Thrax), that the father of the emperor was a Goth on the name of Micca and his mother was an Alan called Hababa. It is also said that he measured 2.40 meters!