Claudius II (Gothicus), Antoninianus, 268-270
Siscia - Billon - AU(55-58)
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Bust of Claudius Gothicus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right.
Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand
Very fine Antoninian of Claudius II the Gothic! It is rare to find one in this state of preservation, and still with some of the silver plating. Moreover, we have here a variety that seems to be unreferenced! It appears to have been struck at Siscia (Sisak) in Pannonia, as indicated by the mintmark in the field on the reverse, but the legends differ from known types. The closest type (RIC V Claudius Gothicus 178) mentions a C after the IMP, and a portrait only cuirassed. This is not the case on this specimen. A very interesting and unknown variety!
IMP CLAVDIVS AVG
AEQVITAS AVG / II
2.63 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.