echo - Trying to print properties of stdClass object in Php starting with literal '$' -

my object name $distinct1

print_r($distinct1) shows object below when try do

echo $distinct1->properties->city 

or

echo $distinct1->distinct_id 

i don't value return. idea whats going on?

stdclass object (     [$distinct_id] => aaa     [$properties] => stdclass object         (             [$city] => palo alto             [$country_code] =>             [$region] => california             [$name] => john smith ) ) 

hm, if properties named that:

$distinct1->{'$properties'}->{'$city'} 

but if possible, i'd mechanism sets & fix there.