Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 1180. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOEOTIA, Thebes. Circa 395-338 BC. AR Stater (12.14 g). Theog-, magistrate. Struck circa 379-368 BC. Boeotian shield / Amphora; above, kerykeion right; ΘE-OΓ across central field; all within concave circle. BCD Boiotia 502; Hepworth 57 (same rev. die as illustration); Myron Hoard pl. Δ, 27 (same rev. die); Traité III 267, pl. CCI, 22 (same rev. die). Near EF, lightly toned, underlying luster, small patch of find patina on reverse.

The reverse dies of this magistrate are of particularly high quality artwork according to Hepworth, p. 64, 14. This is understandable, given that they were issued immediately after the Spartan yoke was lifted off the Kadmeia. It was the time when Thebes was looking forward to the increasing military power and political assertion in the area that came with independence and which led to the glorious years of Epaminondas' heyday.