Syria - Antioch, Philip I, AD 244-249 (struck AD 244), Billon Tetradrachm: 11.80 gm, 26.35 mm, 1 h. Striking weakness on Philip's shoulder and on the reverse at 5:00-6:00 o'clock. McAlee 886 variant, Series 1. This coin conforms to all the details of McAlee's 886, except for two major differences, the eagle is facing to the right, and the tail is left of the eagle's leg. McAlee states in footnote 225: "The eagle usually seen on the Series 1 and 2 coins could best be described as eagle standing left (with tail right) or eagle standing right (with tail left), and in fact Prieur distinguishes these varieties. Examples of the two varieties are illustrated here as 887/1 and 887/2. See also 895/1 and 895/2. However, the eagle's head is always facing left, and the differences in the posture of the eagle's body are so subtle that they are not catalogued here as separate varieties. Moreover, the eagles tail is often hard to see and occasionally is completely absent." Neither McAlee or Prieur illustrates or describes a die pair as seen on this coin. McAlee rates 886 as (Rare), and I believe this example is extremely rare and a possible discovery coin. If any CT member has another example of this coin type or knows of another example I would appreciate seeing it. References: The Coins of Roman Antioch, Richard McAlee, 2007 The Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms and Their Fractions, from 57 BC to AD 253, Michel and Karin Prieur, 2000
Thanks Mat . I bought it included with a small group of provincials. The eagle caught my eye immediately, & I felt it was something special . I'll have to send a pic to Wild Winds & see if they'll add it to their collection. The coin sports a finely engrave portrait.
