159, Lot: 79. Estimate $100. Sold for $250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOEOTIA, Thespiai. Early-mid 4th century BC. AR Obol (11mm, 0.82 g). Boiotian shield decorated with a vertical crescent / Head of Aphrodite Melainis right. BCD Boiotia 608. VF, toned, flan a little ragged.

From the BCD Collection.

The obols of Thespiai with the head of Aphrodite, although not particularly rare, are very difficult to obtain well centered and in nice condition. This specimen shows all three letters on the reverse whereas other reference works (BMC, SNG Copenhagen, etc.) only mention the first letter of the ethnic as the remaining are off flan.