Seleucis and Pieria, Philip I, Tetradrachm
248-249 - Antioch - Billon - AU(55-58)
Bust of Philip I, laureate, draped and cuirassed, right, seen from rear.
Eagle standing left, spreading wings, holding wreath in beak.
Magnificent specimen, extremely rare in this state of preservation. Several points of concretion but superb preservation of the silver, almost no trace of circulation. Prieur 444; McAlee 935.
ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛΙ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟϹ ϹΕΒ (Imp(erator) C(aesar) M(arcus) Iuli(us) Philippus Aug(ustus))
ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞΟΥϹΙΑϹ ΥΠΑ ΤΟ Δ // ΑΝΤΙΟΧΙΑ / S C
13 gr
An “AU(55-58)” quality
As in numismatics, it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
About Uncirculated(55-58)
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has been in circulation but sufficiently little that its original beauty is preserved almost in its entirety. The wear is barely visible and any other defect can only be identified with a magnifying glass or a particularly keen eye. The number (55-58) indicates that between three quarters and almost all of the original luster remains.