Diocletian, Antoninianus, 290-292
Lugdunum - Incuse strike - Billon - AU(55-58)
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Bust of Diocletian, left, radiate, wearing imperial mantle, holding eagle-tipped sceptre in right hand.
Incuse observe design.
A very interesting coin! It still has some of its original silver plating, but more importantly, it is an incuse strike! We know from the observe designs that it comes from the mint of Lugdunum (Lyon), and should have had a representation of Jupiter standing on the reverse (RIC V Diocletian 27). The portrait of Diocletian and some of the letters in the legend are clearly visible. A remarkable specimen, faulty and incused!
IMP DIOCLETIANVS P AVG
4.04 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.