Kingdom of Sicily, Henry IV and Constance, Denier
1194-1197 - Messina - Billon
Cross surrounded by legend Henry VI Emperor.
Eagle surrounded by legend Costanza Empress.
Superb specimen with a perfectly legible legend and the details of the eagle are still present! Flan slightly broken at 8h.
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.