335, Lot: 144. Estimate $150. Sold for $130. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOEOTIA, Thespiai. Early-mid 4th century BC. AR Obol (10mm, 0.88 g). Boeotian shield / Crescent composed of three lines. BCD Boiotia 601 (this coin). Good VF, toned. Struck multiple times.

Ex BCD Collection (Triton IX, 10 January 2006), lot 601.

A note from BCD from the Triton sale: This is a very interesting coin for the insight it provides into the actual mechanics of striking. Close examination indicates several overlapping “shadow” outlines of the initial letter of the ethnic as well as double striking on the shield and the outer perimeter of the crescent. We are used to calling ancient coins double-struck because only the last “hit” and traces of the before it will normally register on the final product; in fact, more often than not, coins were “multi-struck”.