Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 21. Estimate $150.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $150. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOIOTIA, Federal Coinage. Circa 395-340 BC. AR Hemidrachm (2.71 g). Boiotian shield / Kantharos; above, club right; BO-IW across lower field; all within incuse square. Head, Boeotia p. 54; SNG Cop. 170-171; Traité III p. 311, 372, pl. CCIV, 36; Winterthur 1926 (same rev. die); Dewing 1509 (same rev. die). VF, light grey tone, gold hues around the devices. ($150)

Hoard information indicates that hemidrachms in the name of the Boiotians were issued on several occasions after the peace of Antalkidas in 387 BC. Significant variations in flan width and thickness, reverse field concavity as well as engraving style and alloy point to more than one official mint and some unofficial or clandestine issues. The last of these coins were probably struck at Thespiai a few years before the battle of Khaironeia, with the exception of the thunderbolt issue which came much later (see lot 90 below).