Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 502. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 January 2006.  Sold For $1250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BOIOTIA, Thebes. Circa 395-338 BC. AR Stater (12.11 g). Theog-, magistrate. Struck circa 379-368 BC. Boiotian shield / Amphora; above, caduceus right; QE-OG across field; all within incuse concave circle. Hepworth 57; Head, Boeotia p. 65; Myron Hoard pl. D, 27; Traité III 267, pl. CCI, 22. Good VF, even grey tone. ($500)

The reverse dies of this magistrate and the next 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.

For a tentative attribution of a differently styled and possibly unique obol variety to this magistrate, see below lot 547 and note.